Bong Go appeals to PhilHealth to expedite payments and settle obligations on time to ensure unhampered access to healthcare services for Filipinos

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go on Tuesday, April 6, repeated his appeal to state insurer PhilHealth to expedite payments and settle obligations to healthcare providers and institutions. He personally discussed the matter with Philhealth Chair Dante Gierran during his attendance at the blessing and turn-over ceremony of the Department of Health-Quezon Institute Off-Site Modular Hospital in Quezon City.

Go asked for PhilHealth's commitment to speed up payments and fulfill obligations particularly to the Philippine Red Cross as well as hospitals with valid claims.

"Nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataon makausap si Atty. Gierran. Sinabi ko na bilisan na ang pagbayad sa mga valid claims ng mga private and government hospitals para mabilis na makaikot ang kanilang cash flow at makadagdag sila ng mga hospital beds for COVID-19 patients," Go said.

"Nakiusap rin ako na bilisan po ang payment sa Red Cross. Mabilis at nakakatulong po ang COVID-19 testing sa Red Cross at ang iba pa nilang serbisyo sa mga kababayan natin. Kailangan natin sila para ma-achieve ang target na mas maraming testing kada araw," he added.

Go said President Rodrigo Duterte himself instructed PhilHealth to expedite its processes and ensure no delay in fulfilling its mandate amid the ongoing pandemic.

"Tinawagan rin po mismo namin ni Pangulong Duterte si Atty. Gierran para bilisan ang kanilang proseso at mabayaran ang dapat bayaran," he also shared.

The Senator stressed that PhilHealth must fulfill its financial obligations in a timely manner. He warned that any failure to do so could hurt the stability of the healthcare system.

"Dapat ma-settle on time [ang mga financial obligations] in accordance with our regulations. Huwag natin hayaan na maapektuhan ang operasyon ng mga ospital dahil sa kakulangan ng pondo," reiterated Go.

Earlier, Go also urged PhilHealth to scale up its response to the pandemic by providing expanded protections against medical costs, particularly for families that are facing the financial strain of the pandemic.

"As the primary health insurance provider of millions of Filipinos, it is important that PhilHealth adapts to the current challenges the country is facing today," said Go.

"Gaya po ng parating sinasabi ko sa inyo, ipaglalaban ko na patuloy ma-implementa ang Universal Health Care Law at maisaayos ang operasyon ng PhilHealth," Go said, adding that the government, as a whole, must do its best to unburden Filipinos by providing necessary, reliable, and efficient health services in line with the UHC law, especially amid the ongoing pandemic.

In line with President Duterte's directive, Go stressed that PhilHealth must extend its coverage to patients admitted in tents and makeshift facilities given the limited capacity of hospitals.

"I urge PhilHealth to review and enhance its existing policies. Dapat nilang maramdaman ang serbisyo ng PhilHealth, lalo na sa panahong ito," Go added.

In a recent statement, PhilHealth said that enhanced guidelines will be issued soon to ensure that adequate financial protection is duly provided to patients without compromising quality of care. PhilHealth also guaranteed that COVID-19 patients are entitled to health insurance coverage for testing, isolation, and treatment for mild to critical cases.