PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher "Bong" Go praised the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation for positively responding to his earlier appeal and heeding the calls of many stakeholders not to implement at this time the circular they previously issued that will stop payments to hospital of claims under investigation.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa PhilHealth dahil pinakinggan nila ang ating apela na bigyan muna ng palugit ang mga ospital para hindi naman maapektuhan ang serbisyo sa mga ordinaryong Pilipino na umaasa sa tulong at serbisyo ng PhilHealth at mga ospital lalo na ngayon na nasa public health emergency pa tayo,” Go said.

“Iba ang sitwasyon ngayon dahil nasa gitna nga tayo ng pandemya. Kung totoo talagang may mga fraudulent claims, eh ‘di kasuhan kaagad. Pero itong mga may problema lang sa papeles na wala naman intensyon na manloko ay bigyan ng palugit,” Go earlier appealed.

Go clarified that he supports PhilHealth’s goal of ensuring only legitimate claims are paid but appealed that such mechanisms to safeguard public funds must not put at risk the stability of the healthcare system especially amid the ongoing pandemic.

“Bagamat sang-ayon ako sa hangarin ng PhilHealth na repormahin ang kanilang sistema para maproteksyunan ang pondo ng bayan laban sa mga nananamantala, isaalang-alang rin dapat natin ang mga maaapektuhang ordinaryong mamamayan na walang matatakbuhan at nangangailangan ng tulong lalo na pagdating sa kalusugan,” he said earlier.

He further urged PhilHealth and concerned hospitals to work together to validate legitimate claims while ensuring unhampered delivery of public health services particularly amidst the ongoing public health emergency.

“Ako naman po, bilang Committee on Health Chairman, interes ko po na magkaroon ng solusyon at hindi makompromiso ang kapakanan at kalusugan, lalung-lalo na po 'yung mga ordinaryong Pilipino na nakasalalay po sa PhilHealth," Go expressed.

On Sunday, August 29, the state insurer reported that it was suspending the implementation of its Circular No. 2021-0013 which halts the "payment of claims that are subject of investigations pertaining to fraudulent, unethical acts, and/or abuse of authority”.

According to PhilHealth Spokesperson Shirley Domingo, the decision to put the circular on hold was a result of the talks last August 23 between the PhilHealth management, the Department of Health, and hospital associations.

Prior to the suspension of the said circular, Go personally reached out to PhilHealth President Dante Gierran, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. to recommend solutions to issues raised by the hospital associations. Following his appeal, a ‘fruitful’ dialogue transpired among parties concerned.

The Senator also urged hospitals to follow proper processes and be genuine in their claims, particularly given the current circumstances. He then asked PhilHealth to keep moving forward with the settlement of unpaid reimbursements, even if it means hiring more staff, in order to avoid jeopardizing health services, particularly in these times of difficulty.

“At ako naman po, umaapela ako sa leadership ng PhilHealth at ng mga hospital groups, na sana tuloy-tuloy ang harmonious and closer coordination. Iisa lang naman po ang hangarin natin dito. Kabutihan po ng lahat, kalusugan at buhay po ng bawat Pilipino po ang inuuna natin dito," said Go.

“Sabi nga ng Pangulo, gamitin ninyo ang pera basta nasa tama. You should maximize our resources especially in a health emergency. Dapat walang natutulog na pera at walang nasasayang na panahon,” he added.

As the country is still in a public health emergency, Go said that government agencies need to be more flexible so they can prioritize what Filipinos need at this time.

"’Yung mga mapatunayang may fraudulent claims, iyon ang kasuhan. ‘Yung mga maayos naman, tulungan natin silang magampanan ang tungkulin nila sa komunidad lalo na ngayon na napaka-importante ng mga ospital dahil tumataas na naman ang kaso ng mga nagkakasakit," Go said.

“Huwag nating hayaan na mailagay sa alanganin ang buhay ng mga Pilipino dahil iyon ang pangunahing konsiderasyon natin palagi. Sa lahat ng aksyon at desisyon ng gobyerno, dapat balanse para hindi makompromiso ang serbisyo na dapat matanggap ng bawat Pilipino,” he ended. (OSBG)