The Department of Health (DOH) has talked to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to cover the COVID-19 “tent charge” billed to patients waiting to be admitted to the hospital, most of which have now been filled due to the new surge.
In a press briefing, Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega, who is also the treatment czar, said that PhilHealth President and CEO Dante Gierran himself has promised to focus on the issue.
“Iyan ang sinasabi ho namin sa Philhealth na ‘yung mga pasyente hong nasa ER na hindi admitted, dapat meron silang benefits and the hospital can claim. Kasi ngayon ho, ‘pag nasa ER ka, hindi ka na-admit eh hindi ka puwedeng mag-claim at saka return claims ang mangyayari,” said Vega.
Bayan Muna Rep. Ferdinand Gaite had earlier revealed in the House hearing on Tuesday that the patient was charged up to P1,000 per hour for a temporary tent while waiting to be admitted to the room, but PhilHealth did not respond.
DOH asks PhilHealth to cover ‘tent charge’ of COVID-19 patients
“According to my colleague, umabot ng P140,000 overnight pa lang for staying in the tent and unfortunately, again, this was not covered under the PhilHealth benefit package… Hindi ba dapat i-revisit nila ‘yung policy na ‘yan? Kasi nga po, hindi na nga nila kasalanan,” Gaite said on Tuesday.
PhilHealth acting Senior Vice President Neri Santiago said the tent charge is not included in the agency’s policy or package, but he believes the policy should also be reviewed.
“Sa ngayon po, hindi po accredited po kasi ‘yung mga tent, wala pong standards for that sa ngayon. So, hindi po talaga siya mako-cover, ‘yung nasa tents po. Kapag po nakapasok na sa hospital, saka lang po iko-cover… Pero kung tutuusin po kasi, it’s a package rate so supposed to be, temporary treatment sa temporary facility na part din ng hospital should be part of the package,” said Santiago.
For Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, the large tent charge is unacceptable.
“I cannot countenance a P1,000 per hour charge. Therefore, eight hours, that’s P8,000? Ay, hindi ho tama ‘yan. And mayroon po tayong benefit package ng PhilHealth and we have already upgraded these benefit packages to be inclusive of the different levels of accommodation. So, kung naga-antay sila, kailangan bayaran ng PhilHealth,” said Duque.