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PhilHealth clarifies IRM is not only for COVID-19 patients, but for overall pandemic response
Senator Panfilo Lacson alleged that PhilHealth exhibited favoritism in its distribution of Interim Reimbursement Mechanism (IRM) funds for COVID-19 treatment.
Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone complained that 10 public hospitals in the province did not receive P24 million in IRM funds, while four private hospitals received P21.4 million.
PhilHealth spokesperson Shirley Domingo stated there was "no favoritism" in handing out IRMs to healthcare institutions (HCIs).
The IRM is a cash advance system to ensure HCIs can function during crises, not exclusively for COVID-19 patients' benefit claims, but for their overall response to the pandemic.
PhilHealth explained that the IRM amount released to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), which received P325 million, was based on its 90-day annual historical benefit claim to ensure continued operation and patient service.
IRM funds are released to facilities that applied and met all requirements, covering all health services, not just COVID-19 treatment.
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Several senators welcomed the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation's (PhilHealth) suspension of its interim reimbursement mechanism (IRM) as a positive step towards transparency and allowing scrutiny of past fund releases.
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Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles assured that PhilHealth will continue to cover treatment costs for all COVID-19 patients, despite ongoing issues with the agency.
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