A lawmaker revealed that P1,000 per hour is allegedly charged to COVID-19 patients who are in the tent and waiting to have a vacant room to be admitted to the hospital.
At the House Committee on Health hearing on Tuesday, Bayan Muna party-list Representative Ferdinand Gaite said that such a charge is not yet covered by PhilHealth.
The congressman wanted to know if such a system is included in government policy.
“Pansamantalang nilagay muna sila sa mga tent and when they were billed out, apparently, PhilHealth does not cover the expense… medyo malaki rin… accordingly, P1,000 per hour ang singil nila. Ang sabi nga daig pa ang ICU and worst it is not covered by the PhilHealth,” said Gaite, who did not specify the name of the hospital.
PhilHealth Acting Senior Vice President Neri Santiago admitted that the agency’s coverage or medical package does not include the patient’s stay in the “tents.”
COVID-19 patients staying in tents outside hospital pay P1K per hour: solon
“Sa ngayon hindi accredited ‘yung mga tent at wala pang standards for that sa ngayon, so ‘di po talaga siya mako-cover, ‘yung nasa tents,” explained Santiago.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque slammed the high charges on the hospital’s tents, calling it “highway robbery.”
“For eight hours, that is P8,000… hindi po tama ‘yan and mayroon po tayong benefit package ng PhilHealth and we already upgraded this benefit package to be inclusive of different level of accommodation,” said Duque, who wanted to know which hospital the congressman was referring to.
Gaite promised to give the committee the name of the hospital.
Gaite also asked PhilHealth to review the agency’s coverage policy as it is becoming more difficult to be admitted to the hospital now due to the number of COVID-19 patients.
The son of veteran singer Claire Dela Fuente revealed she was forced to stay in a tent outside a hospital in Las Piñas while waiting to be admitted.
“Actually, she wasn’t confined completely. She was actually staying in a tent outside Las Piñas Doctors Hospital waiting to be admitted,” Gigo, Claire’s son revealed.
Dela Fuente died of cardiac arrest yesterday, March 30.