Grant amnesty to hospitals with unresolved cases, PhilHealth urged

MANILA, Philippines — A group of private hospitals is urging the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to grant amnesty to hospitals with suspected fraudulent cases that have not been resolved for more than a year.

Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPI) president Jose Rene de Grano said the issue of suspension is not a simple thing as this deprives suspended hospitals of PhilHealth accreditation.

The PHAPI chief said if PhilHealth has concrete evidence, it should bring the cases against these alleged “erring” hospitals to court.

He noted that the suspended hospitals face accusations of violating the policy of single period of confinement, which was recently lifted, as well as other cases considered as fraudulent.

“Why does it take them too long to decide on these cases? The hospitals, especially the members who are clients of the hospital, are suffering,” De Grano said.

He said PHAPI wants an easier accreditation process for private hospitals.

Meanwhile, despite the Supreme Court’s issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the transfer of PhilHealth’s “unused” funds to the national treasury, concerned groups said they are still eagerly awaiting the high court’s decision on whether the transfer was illegal or not.

“The principal issue still has to be decided: the illegality and unconstitutionality of the transfer of GOCC (government-owned and controlled corporation) funds, especially PhilHealth funds,” the groups said in a statement.

The groups led by the Action for Economic Reforms (AER) noted that although P29.9 billion is being restrained, a much bigger amount of P60 billion has already been transferred, in three tranches: May (P20 billion), August (P10 billion) and October (P30 billion) this year.

“Given the TRO, we call on the national government to act with prudence and caution, and not to spend the P60 billion worth of PhilHealth funds already transferred,” AER said.

AER said all involved government entities must be made accountable.