Go urges PhilHealth to speed up settlement of obligations to providers

Sen. Christopher Go (Photo from his office)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) should speed up the settlement of its obligations to healthcare providers to ensure their continued operation.

Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go repeated this appeal on Tuesday, April 6, as he discussed the matter with Philhealth Chairman Dante Gierran during his attendance at the blessing and turn-over ceremony of the Department of Health-Quezon Institute Off-Site Modular Hospital in Quezon City.

“I told him to speed up the payment of valid claims of private and government hospitals so that can have a quick cash flow and add more hospital beds for COVID-19 patients,” Go said, recalling his talk with Gierran.

“I also urged him to speed up payment to the Red Cross. The COVID-19 testing and other services at the Red Cross are quick and very helpful to our countrymen. We need them [healthcare provicers] to achieve the target of more testing every day,” he added.

According to Go, President Rodrigo Duterte himself instructed PhilHealth to expedite its processes and ensure no delay in fulfilling its mandate amid the ongoing pandemic.

Go warned that, if PhilHealth would fail to settle its obligations on time, it could hurt the stability of the healthcare system.

“Let’s not allow the operations of hospitals to be affected for lack of funds,” he siad.

Earlier, Go also urged PhilHealth to scale up its response to the pandemic by providing expanded protections against medical costs, particularly for families suffering from the financial strain of the pandemic.

“As the primary health insurance provider of millions of Filipinos, it is important that PhilHealth adapts to the current challenges the country is facing today,” he said.

“As I have been telling all of you, I will fight for the implementation of the Universal Health Care Law and the putting the operation of PhilHealth in order,” he added.

Go stressed that, in line with Duterte’s directive, PhilHealth should extend its coverage to COVID-19 patients admitted in tents and makeshift facilities given the limited capacity of hospitals.

“I urge PhilHealth to review and enhance its existing policies. They should feel the service of PhilHealth especially in these times,” he said.

[atm]