Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 18)— The Philippine Red Cross on Tuesday said it can still conduct COVID-19 tests in the next 10 to 14 days despite the hefty unsettled balances of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation to the organization.
In a phone call with CNN Philippines, Red Cross chairman Senator Richard Gordon said the organization can maintain its testing operations for the next few days, and accommodate even patients whose payments will be charged to the state health insurer.
Gordon added that Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has reached out to him regarding the case of PhilHealth’s dues and committed to settle the issue immediately.
Gordon earlier warned of the possible suspension of Red Cross’ COVID-19 testing for patients whose payments will be charged under PhilHealth, as the organization “cannot afford” to maintain operations if the agency’s debt spikes to ₱1 billion. As of Monday, he said the unsettled dues stood at around ₱700 million.
Gordon, in an earlier interview with CNN Philippines, said the Red Cross would need to “replenish” their resources, with the organization already ordering test kits from China amounting to $6 million.
PhilHealth spokesperson Dr. Shirley Domingo said the agency has paid ₱504.2 million to the organization as of August 12.
“The payables amounting to P714.6 million being referred to by Sen. Dick Gordon were covered by three separate billing statements which PhilHealth received on August 13, 14 and 15, 2020. These will be processed in accordance to the imposed limit subject to additional allocation as may be approved by the Board,” Domingo said in a statement on Monday.
