MEMBER doctors of All Terrain Medical Relief Organization (Amro) promised to help patients at the Lapu-Lapu City Hospital, a public medical facility.
Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan welcomed Amro’s initiative, saying it would be a big help as the city’s only public hospital lacks doctors.
Amro members, led by neurosurgeon Wyben Briones, paid a courtesy call on Chan in his office on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019.
The mayor said the hospital is like a “transfer station,” which means patients with severe illnesses are referred to better-equipped medical facilities, including Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.
The construction of the new P22-million hospital’s first phase is expected to be completed before September ends. The outpatient department will be the first unit to operate.
Chan said he will urge the City Council to pass an ordinance that would allow the Amro doctors to receive professional fees.
Chan said Amro doctors would only receive P1 per year as their consultation fees.
The Philhealth Circular 2017-0017 states “Non-salaried physicians (consultants) shall not charge additional professional fees to qualified no balance billing members and dependents. They should be entided to the professional fee component of the case rate.”
Chan said that if the ordinance is passed and approved by him, the City would give the professional fees based on the doctor’s PhilHealth share. (from FVQ of Superbalita Cebu/KAL)