Rep. De Lima seeks probe on unpaid PhilHealth claims to hospitals

Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima has filed House Resolution 46 seeking an investigation into unpaid claims to private hospitals, specifically those from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) under the Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program.

This action was prompted by some private hospitals refusing to honor guarantee letters due to unsettled payments.

The Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. reported that 43 hospitals in Batangas are collectively awaiting over P530 million in payments, with one hospital owed as much as P94 million.

De Lima stated that this recurring issue burdens patients and their families with the fear of not receiving government assistance for medical expenses.

She emphasized that Filipinos' right to urgent medical care should not be denied due to inability to pay or lack of trust in the government's payment.