Philhealth releases over P300M to Bicol hospitals

LEGAZPI CITY --- The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) in Bicol has released the amount of P351,929,930.59 to 11 hospitals across the region to help them respond to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

Geraldine Francia-Naron, Philhealth Bicol public relation officer, said that the amount was released to 11 hospitals out of 56 applications from 341 facilities accredited in the region as advanced payment to ensure and adequately respond to the Covid-19 outbreak.

The fund release was mostly for level 1 to level 3 hospitals, specifically DOH identified referral hospitals in the region for COVID 19 treatment facilities such as the:Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH) in Legazpi, Bicol Medical Center (BMC) in Naga City, Bicol Region General Hospital and Geriatic Medical Center (BRGHGMC),formerly known as Bicol Sanitarium).

The BRTTH received its share of P101,986,381.04 fund released on Monday, she said.

“This is to help them respond to the increase of CoViD-19 cases in the country. The amount is equivalent to three months' worth of claims based on historical data, which will be charged to their future claims,” Naron said.

Salceda requested Philhealth Vice President Orlando Iñigo to release the funds for the Bicol hospitals.

He said that the funds are for the hospitals' needs in general, but can be used specifically for coronavirus frontliners' needs.