Manila Bulletin
Drilon: Gov't could lose P8.3 B due to PhilHealth's overspending in testing
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon warns PhilHealth of potential criminal liability due to alleged overpricing of COVID-19 test packages amounting to P8,150 per test.
Drilon estimates that PhilHealth could lose up to P8.3 billion if the government pushes through with its goal to test two million Filipinos at the current package rate.
He pointed out that the actual cost of a COVID-19 test, including the test kit, overhead, materials, and hospital margin, should only be around P4,000.
Drilon cited that private institutions like the Red Cross charge patients within this reasonable range for their testing services.
He expressed concern that the higher reimbursement rate by PhilHealth represents a significant overpayment and a waste of government funds, especially during a time of economic hardship.
Drilon suggested that PhilHealth executives could face charges under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for actions deemed detrimental to the public interest.
He stated that PhilHealth's reimbursement rate is P4,100 higher than the estimated reasonable cost per test.
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Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon is calling for a revamp of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) due to an alleged overpricing scandal involving its COVID-19 testing packages.
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PhilHealth has reduced its COVID-19 testing rate to P4,210, a move welcomed by Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon.
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Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon welcomed PhilHealth's decision to lower its COVID-19 test package price by 50 percent, but insists the agency should peg it at a much lower rate.
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President Duterte has ordered an investigation into the alleged overpriced medical equipment and test kits purchased by the government for its COVID-19 response.
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Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque will forward the issue of alleged overpricing in PhilHealth's COVID-19 testing packages to the Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP).
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