Amid the recent public backlash for increasing the monthly premium, state health insurer, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), asked for understanding from the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) regarding its late payment for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) tests.
PhilHealth spokesperson Rey Baleña said during an interview with radio station dzBB that the state insurer must comply first with the accounting rules and regulations of the Commission on Audit in processing claims.
“Humihingi kami ng pang-unawa sa Philippine Red Cross at sa publiko pagdating sa bagay na ito na bagamat may three days deadline, pero alam niyo kailangan talaga isa-isahin namin bawat claim,” he said.
Baleña added that the Department of Justice said that PhilHealth must observe the government’s accounting rules and regulations.
PRC chairperson Senator Richard Gordon said PhilHealth’s debt to PRC has already reached P800 million.
“’Di puwede kasi kung kailan lang nila gusto magbayad dahil lalaki nang lalaki [ang utang]. Baka mapilitan kami itigil dahil bibili pa kami ng gamit tapos ime-maintain naman ang mga tao sa laboratoryo,” Gordon said.
“Nakikiusap [kami] sa kanila na mag-up-to-date sila dahil tutumba ang Red Cross dahil sa kanila,” he added.
Baleña said PhilHealth still has P635.4 million debt to PRC after it paid P2.8 billion for the conduct of Covid-19 tests.
“Ayon po sa aming tala po, may outstanding account po kami na P635.4 million at kasalukuyan na po itong pinoproseso. Thirty-eight percent dito pinoproseso na namin,’ Baleña said.
Meanwhile, PhilHealth said that they are ready to pay their obligations to PRC this week. RJ Espartinez
