PhilHealth denies MOA with Bacolod hospital
Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) denies the report that it was a signatory to a Memorandum of Agreement forged between a media organization and a certain hospital for the former to avail the benefits of PhilHealth.
PhilHealth, in a news release, straightened reports published in Bacolod newspapers that it entered into an agreement with Bacolod Our Lady of Mercy Hospital for the benefits of the members of the Negros Press Club (NPC).
"PhilHealth has portability of benefits. All eligible members regardless of membership category can avail of their PhilHealth in all accredited hospitals," PhilHealth Bacolod Service Office Head, Romel A. Dilag emphasized. "So, there is no need to forge an agreement with any hospital for that effect, for as long as the member is eligible to avail, he/she including all his/her qualified dependents can enjoy the same," he added.
PhilHealth maintains that it does not require deposit. The National Health Insurance Law provides that the health care providers must deduct from the total charges all expenses reimbursable by PhilHealth upon discharge of patient.
An employed media practitioner is categorized as employed member under the formal sector, and is mandatorily covered with employer sharing the premium counterpart. Just like other self employed professional, a freelance media practitioner like scriptwriter or news writer who has no employer but has the means to pay monthly premium contribution of P100.00 a month, is qualified to enroll voluntarily under the Individually Paying Program.
In the case of NPC, regardless of membership category with PhilHealth, one would just present his/her PhilHealth eligibility to any of the PhilHealth accredited health care facilities, then may avail of the PhilHealth benefits.
PhilHealth Regional Office VI head Alberto C. Manduriao explained that there are Memoranda of Agreement executed by PhilHealth but with different Local Government Units which have enrollment under the sponsored program for indigents -- a person who has no visible means of income or whose income is insufficient for the subsistence of the family – thus, the sponsor-LGU pays their contribution.
On hospitalization, PhilHealth leaves the discretion to its member what hospital to choose and be confined for reason of illness or injuries, maternity related cases and certain out-patient procedures, provided such services are available at the health care facility.