Orlando Iñigo, PhilHealth regional vice president for Bicol (Photo courtesy of John Michael Grande/PhilHealth-Bicol )
LEGAZPI CITY — The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) regional office here has started to release advance payment and assistance to health facilities in the region to help the people amid the health crisis brought by the new coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Leri Ilagan, PhilHealth-Bicol spokesperson, in an interview on Tuesday said at least PHP931 million out of the PHP30-billion nationwide allocation was given to the region.
"The fund would serve as an interim reimbursement mechanism to assist accredited public and private hospital across the region. It is a three-month advance payment based on historical data of PhilHealth-accredited health care providers here," she said.
Ilagan added that to avail of the assistance, accredited hospitals would be asked to accomplish a letter request for application duly signed by the medical director and the signed memorandum of agreement.
"Accredited health care providers that can avail are those Level 1-3 hospitals, birthing homes, infirmaries and dialysis centers in the region," she said.
As of Monday (March 30), a total of PHP351 million has already been released to 11 public and private hospitals including the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH) in Legazpi City, Bicol Medical Center (BMC) in Naga City and the Bicol Region General Hospital and Geriatric Medical Center Sanitarium in Pasacao, Camarines Sur.
Funds have also been released to Albay Doctors' Hospital, Daraga Doctors' Hospital, Estevez Memorial Hospital, Santissima Trinidad Hospital of Daet, Sorsogon Medical Mission Group Hospital and Health Services Cooperative, Universidad de Sta. Isabel de Naga Inc., Josefina Belmonte Duran Albay Provincial Hospital and Tanchuling General Hospital.
Orlando Iñigo, PhilHealth regional vice president, in a phone interview on Tuesday said they would do everything to help and care for those afflicted with Covid-19.
"Gaya ng sabi sa amin ni PCEO (Ret.) BGen. Ricardo Morales we will ensure na wala nang babayaran ang mga kababayan natin na magkakasakit dahil sa Covid-19. We are also calling on the other hospitals to immediately submit the needed requirements so we can now facilitate the release of the amount for them," he said.
Iñigo added that they are still waiting for the guidelines from their central office that would ease the burden of Covid-19 patients in paying hospital bills.
There are at least 341 PhilHealth-accredited health care providers in Bicol Region. (PNA)
