PhilHealth limits confinement period

THE Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) announced Thursday that it is planning to limit the confinement period in a bid to combat abuses of some of its members.

Rey Aquino, president of PhilHealth, said they have decided to adjust the computation of the benefits by using the doctor’s “order of discharge” as the cut-off point of the coverage.

“To be able to protect the health insurance fund against abuse by some unscrupulous individuals, PhilHealth had to implement strict measures,” said Aquino.

“Prolonged confinements are very susceptible to abuses,” he further said.

He noted that before the release of the new guidelines, PhilHealth has been compensating part of the patient’s medical charges up to the last confinement day.

Under the new policy, Aquino explained that the computation for room and board shall be up to the date the attending physician finally orders the discharge of the patient.

“PhilHealth coverage for room and board, and other medical charges as well, shall be up to the time the doctor officially declares that they should go home already,” he added.

“It shall be used as basis for PhilHealth to determine the actual room and board allowance for the said confinement,” he pointed out.

Aside from hospital room and board allowances, PhilHealth insurance also provides substantial subsidies for drugs and medicines, X-ray and other laboratory exams, operating room fees, and professional fees, among others. (AMN/Sunnex)