PhilHealth admits failing to settle all claims before P60B transfer

PhilHealth Senior Vice President Renato Limsiaco Jr. admitted during oral arguments on Tuesday, February 25, that the state insurer failed to settle all claims before transferring P60 billion to the National Treasury in 2024.

Associate Justice Amy Lazaro-Javier questioned whether PhilHealth had paid all claims prior to transferring funds, noting that recognizing accounts that still need to be paid in the books of PhilHealth is different from settling them.

Limsiaco explained that due to a 'certain cutoff date,' not all monetary claims were settled before the transfer, and there have been instances where they could not comply with the 60-day timeline for processing claims.

Former PhilHealth independent director Tony Leachon filed a petition challenging provisions of the 2025 General Appropriations Act due to zero-subsidy for PhilHealth, arguing it violates laws mandating government support for universal healthcare.

PhilHealth has also faced criticism for delays in implementing new benefit packages and case rates approved in 2024, with Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa attributing these delays to the pandemic.