DOH assures timely payments to private hospitals amid probe into P480M Batangas claims

Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa assured that the government is up to date in settling claims with private hospitals for indigent patients, with a payment turn-around time of within three months.

Herbosa is investigating reports of approximately P480 million in unpaid guarantee letters to hospitals in Batangas.

He noted that unpaid claims are often due to insufficient documentary requirements submitted by hospitals to regional offices, and only a handful of hospitals appear to have pending payments.

The DOH plans to consolidate claims to determine what can be paid from their funds.

This statement comes after the Philippine Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAPi) suspended honoring government guarantee letters due to alleged unpaid dues reaching P530 million, with 43 hospitals in Batangas reportedly owed P480 million.

Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo assured that the DOH will continue to reconcile payables to specific private hospitals in compliance with laws and policies.