PhilHealth already settled 73% of P27 billion hospital dues, says exec

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth) said Thursday that it has since paid 73 percent of the P27 billion it owes to hospitals nationwide, president and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. said. Thursday.

Ledesma reported these data during the hearing of the Senate Finance Committee on the proposed 2024 budget of the Ministry of Health, amounting to 311.3 billion euros.

The president of the state insurer, who promised on September 6 to a House appropriations committee that it would be able to pay the hospital costs within 90 days, also noted that the bulk of the payments were only processed a few weeks ago. – imposed term.

READ: PhilHealth to pay off most of P27B hospital costs in 90 days

“I am pleased to inform this honorable committee that… of the 27 billion pesos that Philhealth owes these hospitals, we have already paid 73 percent of the 27 billion,” Ledesma said in response to Senator Pia Cayetano’s question on the status of the hospitals. hospital payments.

“What I would like to say is that we are well on our way,” he also noted.

Ledesma said the Debit Credit Payment Mechanism, which ensures quick release of funds to qualified hospitals, was also used to pay off hospital debts.

Cayetano was pleasantly surprised by the development.

“If that’s true, and of course I believe it at first glance, then congratulations,” she said.

JPV