News
PhilHealth releases P70M aid to Bicol hospitals and members - December 14, 2006
THE Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is releasing this week a total of P70 million representing initial payment for health insurance claims filed by accredited hospitals in the Bicol Region severely affected by Typhoon “Reming.”
According to Lorna O. Fajardo, Acting PhilHealth President and CEO, the initial amount is intended to aid at least 100 hospitals, including four maternity clinics in the Region so that affected members may continue to avail themselves of health care services. “We want to help ensure that medical service is uninterrupted despite the damages brought about by Typhoon Reming,” she said.
Fajardo added that the amount, which was based on the average value per claim in the Region, represents PhilHealth’s initial payment for over 11,000 claims earlier received by its Regional Office in Legazpi City. She added that should electric service remain unrestored this week, all unprocessed claims will be brought to Manila for processing. “We are looking into the possibility of temporarily processing all claims received by our Regional Office if only to assure our members that we continue to perform our duties despite the constraints.” A Team from Bicol might work overtime in Manila for the next two weeks to complete the processing of the claims.
Over the weekend, a Task Force from the central Office also brought relief items for employees in the Region affected by the typhon devastation.
At the same time, PhilHealth announced that temporarily, it will not hold Bicol employers liable for delayed remittances of premium contributions considering the situation that the Region is in. While Section 20 (a) of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 7875, as amended, requires employers to pay the employee and employer share of the premium on a monthly basis on or before the 10th calendar day following the month for which the payment is due and applicable, “...we are fully aware of the extent of damage that Typhon Reming has wreaked in the Region, that is why we are issuing this advisory,” Fajardo said. The moratorium is good until December 31, 2006.