COVID-19 patient's bill reaches P3M in 16 days

A COVID-19 patient's hospital bill accumulated to over P3 million in just 16 days before the patient succumbed to the illness.

The initial bill on the first day of confinement already amounted to P177,000.

The high cost was attributed to the extended stay in the emergency room, with ER rates at P2,800 per hour.

Extensive laboratory tests and pulmonary services contributed significantly to the bill, costing over P400,000.

The patient's medication alone reached P1.4 million.

Doctor's fees surpassed P200,000.

PhilHealth had pledged to cover the full cost of treatment for COVID-19 patients until April 14.

Meanwhile, another COVID-19 patient, Julieta Alunan, recovered from the disease with a P1.312 million bill for her 15-day confinement.

Alunan's bill was shouldered by PhilHealth, which announced it would cover all hospital expenses for COVID-19 patients.

Her expenses included approximately P300,000 for 15 doctors and P500,000 for medication, intubation, laboratory tests, and ventilator/respirator use.