Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 4) — Hospitals that overcharge COVID-19 patients may find themselves under probe by Congress, a lawmaker has warned, following reports that some patients staying in tents are being asked to pay ₱1,000 per hour.
House Ways and Means Chair Rep. Joey Salceda issued the warning in a statement on Sunday, saying his committee can subpoena hospitals found to be overcharging, especially given the value-added tax exemptions for COVID-19 supplies and personal protective equipment.
“Right now, we want medical facilities to focus on getting people well. But there will be a time after COVID-19 when we can subpoena your managers for abusive medical billing practices, so don’t push it,” Salceda said.
The continued increase in the country’s COVID-19 cases has pushed several medical facilities to the brink, especially those in the capital region.
Data from the Department of Health showed that as of April 3, around one-third or 52 of the 153 Metro Manila hospitals accommodating COVID-19 patients have hit critical bed occupancy. With regular hospital beds full, a number of patients are forced to stay in hospital tents, with some allegedly being charged ₱1,000 per hour. PhilHealth earlier assured it will investigate the matter which Health Secretary Francisco Duque III called a “highway robbery.”
Salceda also joined the growing list of lawmakers who have called on PhilHealth to rationalize its standards for coverage. Congressmen and senators stressed it is not the patients’ fault they cannot be admitted inside hospitals due to overcapacity. The agency had said its packages cover services given to patients in tents that are part of in-patient care, but not those provided by non-accredited community isolation unit tents.
“It’s PhilHealth who sets the standards, and tents are merely extensions of hospitals,” Salceda said. “You are in a tent because the hospital proper cannot yet accommodate you, but you are being given hospital care. This is the height of bureaucratic absurdity.”
PhilHealth President and CEO Dante Gierran on Friday said the agency will release “enhanced guidelines” to provide “adequate financial protection” to patients.
