THE Department of Health (DOH)-Davao reminded hospitals that patients with an outstanding balance can be released from their facility.
This developed after they received several complaints from the public after they were not discharged for having an outstanding balance in their hospital bill.
Raymart Montoya, Licensing Officer III, Regulation Licensing and Enforcement Division of DOH 11, said retention and deposit are the frequent issues they receive at their office.
Based on the report, because of the patients’ existing balance, hospitals did not allow them to be discharged until they are not fully paid.
But Montoya emphasized that this is against the law.
“Ang balaod is very clear, kung ang atong pasyente discharged na tapos naa siya sa ward, naa siya'y remedy. Ang remedy sa atong pasyente is number one, maghimo siya og promissory note (The law is clear, if the patient has been discharged and he or she is at the ward, there is a remedy. One of the remedies is a promissory note). Number two that promissory note is supported by collateral for security. It’s a win-win situation actually between the patient and the hospital,” he said.
He added, “In every forum, we keep on reminding them that if the patient cannot pay the balance, make sure you let them sign a promissory note coupled with security.”
He further said hefty penalty awaits the hospitals and clinics for refusal to administer appropriate initial medical treatment in emergency or serious cases.
Republic Act No. 10932, otherwise known as the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law, provides that “in emergency or serious cases, it shall be unlawful for any hospital or medical clinic to request, solicit, demand or accept any deposit or any other form of advance payment as prerequisite for administering basic emergency care, for confinement or medical treatment, or to refuse to administer medical treatment and support to any patient.”
Montoya said there are hospitals that demand patients for deposit before treating them and if they cannot able to do so, they refer the patients to Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).
They are now in the process of investigating these complaints.
“The law is very clear, pag-emergency, immediate ang first aid treatment. I-stabilize ang pasyente before they are referred to a higher facility. These are the complaints that we usually receive sa Department of Health,” Montoya said.