ILOILO City – Philippine Health Insurnace Corp. (PhilHealth) members in Western Visayas can now receive covered hospital services in five private hospitals without paying additional charges, as the facilities committed 64 ward beds to the government’s no co-payment program.
The five hospitals signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), marking an expansion of the zero co-payment policy into participating private healthcare facilities.
They are Asia Pacific Medical Center-Iloilo, Healthway QualiMed Hospital-Iloilo, Iloilo Doctors’ Hospital, Saint Gabriel Hospital in Kalibo, and Semirara Mining and Power Corporation Hospital in Antique.
Under the agreement, each participating hospital committed to allocate 10 percent of its bed capacity for qualified PhilHealth members. Together, the five hospitals will make 64 ward-type beds available under the program.
PhilHealth Region 6 vice president Marjorie Cabrieto said the participation of private hospitals gives members more choices in seeking medical care without the burden of additional hospital expenses.
“This is welcome news for PhilHealth members, as they can now access quality healthcare services in private facilities without worrying about out-of-pocket expenses,” Cabrieto said.
Under the no co-payment policy, eligible PhilHealth members admitted to designated basic or ward accommodations should not be charged beyond what PhilHealth covers for essential health services.
These include covered medicines and drugs, laboratory procedures, professional fees, room and board, and other necessary services included in the applicable PhilHealth benefit package.
Participating hospitals are required to provide the minimum standard of care, including necessary medical services and professional fees, without imposing additional charges on qualified patients.
The program could expand further as more private hospitals throughout Western Visayas have signified their intention to participate by signing a commitment wall.
In Iloilo, these include Iloilo Mission Hospital, Metro Iloilo Hospital and Medical Center Inc., Seamen’s Hospital, St. Paul’s Hospital, Medicus Medical Center, and The Medical City Iloilo.
In Negros Occidental, facilities that expressed commitment include Bacolod Queen of Mercy Hospital, Adventist Medical Center, Dr. Gumersindo Garcia Sr. Memorial Hospital, Dr. Pablo O. Torre Memorial Hospital, Dr. Rodolfo T. Blancia Jr. Infirmary, Hinigaran Doctors’ Hospital Inc., Holy Mother of Mercy Hospital, Metro Bacolod Hospital and Medical Center, Northland Hospital, San Carlos Doctors’ Hospital Inc., South Bacolod General Hospital and Medical Center Inc., The Doctors’ Hospital Inc., and Lopez District Farmers Hospital Inc.
In Aklan, the facilities are Aklan Cooperative Mission Hospital, Asia Pacific Medical Center, Panay Health Care Multi-Purpose Cooperative, and St. Jude Hospital.
Antique Medical Center Inc., Santa Romana-Yson Memorial Hospital, and Tugon Medical Clinic & Hospital have expressed their commitment in Antique.
In Capiz, Capiz Emmanuel Hospital, Capiz Doctors’ Hospital, and The Health Centrum have signified support, while Guimaras Specialist Medical Center Inc. has expressed its commitment in Guimaras.
PhilHealth rules provide that patients admitted to basic or ward accommodations in accredited public and private healthcare facilities should have no co-payment for essential health services.
Patients who opt for non-basic accommodations, however, may still incur co-payments for services beyond those classified as essential and covered by PhilHealth.
The expansion into private hospitals is part of PhilHealth’s efforts to strengthen financial protection and broaden access to affordable healthcare for its members across Western Visayas./PN
