The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. have committed to work together in reconciling outstanding claims of private hospitals as well as in cracking down on alleged fraudulent claims.
Officials of these two entities met Thursday night in an undisclosed place based on the request of neophyte Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong’’ Go that they sit down and settle alleged “sham’’ claims of some hospitals in their treatment of PhilHealth members.
Go told PhilHealth president retired Gen. Ricardo Morales and Rustico Jimenez, PHAPI president, that his communication lines are open for the early resolution of their row.
Some PHAPI hospital-members have reportedly threatened to leave PhilHealth coverage.
Go said that the holding of the meeting was aimed at reconciling outstanding claims of private hospitals, as well as in cracking down on alleged fraudulent claims.
“Naiintindihan ko mga hospital na dapat sila mabayaran. Ang concern ko lang dapat hindi mapabayaan ang mga pasyente. Dapat hindi ma-hamper ang serbisyo,” Go said.
On the part of PhilHealth, they explained that management wants to make sure the outstanding claims are not denied or fraudulent claims. They appealed for cooperation from private hospitals in order to settle outstanding accounts.
PhilHealth also assured private hospitals that they are ready to hear their concerns. PhilHealth will have their regional office officials sit down with the management of various hospitals to reconcile the claims, it said.
PhilHealth also noted that they would conduct quarterly regional reach out forums wherein hospitals are invited to raise their issues and concerns, it added.
Go reiterated that it is important to ensure that funds of PhilHealth are not wasted and are utilized properly to benefit patients in need of medical attention. (Mario Casayuran)
