The Philippine Red Cross said it is “most likely” to halt its COVID-19 testing operations after Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) failed to settle its remaining dues to the organization, according to its chairman and CEO, Senator Richard Gordon.
Gordon said in an interview that PRC would stop COVID-19 testing to hose whose payments would be charged to PhilHealth until the state insurer settles its balance, which is now P700.5 million.
“Aabot na sa isang bilyon[g piso] ang utang ng PhilHealth sa Red Cross. Pagkatapos nilang magbigay ng advanced payment na P100 million noon, paunti-unti na lang ang pagbabayad nila,” Gordon said.
“Hindi naman pupuwedeng ganoon dahil kailangan din namin ng pambili ng materials para sa testing at pambayad sa mga tao. Kung hindi sila makapagbabayad hanggang Monday, ititigil muna namin ang testing,” he added.
Gordon said PhilHealth’s inability to pay its dues would stop the PRC from ordering test kits needed to restock its supplies, forcing the organization to suspend COVID-19 testing in Manila.
At the same time, Red Cross would also suspend the opening of its newly-constructed laboratories in Bacolod, Zamboanga, and Cagayan De Oro City, Gordon added.
Also read: Testing 1.6M NCR residents will take 83 days- Red Cross
Red Cross likely to halt COVID-19 testing due to PhilHealth unpaid balance
“How can we operate if we do not have enough test kits, and we do not have money to pay our med techs and other staff?” the senator said.
“We have been totally cooperative in all aspects, but we cannot afford to continue if the government, particularly PhilHealth, continues to fail to pay for their lawful obligations,” he added.
The Red Cross chairman said he already coordinated with concerned government officials and has been calling on PhilHealth to act on the issue immediately.
“These delays and foot-dragging by PhilHealth have been going on from day one of the contract. We sincerely hope, for our people’s sake, that the government will see its way clear in resolving this unwanted crisis immediately,” he said.
PhilHealth earlier announced it suspended the implementation of its Interim Reimbursement Mechanism (IRM) amid the investigation on alleged anomalies in the state insurer.