Hospitals worried about bills of patients sponsored by losing bets

MANILA, Philippines — Citing political sponsorship issues following the recent elections, private hospitals raised concern yesterday over more than P7 billion worth of unpaid medical services rendered under the government’s Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program.

The Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPI) questioned whether its members would still be compensated, given that some patients were endorsed by political candidates who failed to secure seats in the May 12 polls.

“They are worried since not all of the ‘sponsors’ won in the last elections,” PHAPI president Jose de Grano said.

De Grano said around 40 percent of PHAPI’s 1,200 member hospitals have pending claims, with total receivables exceeding P7 billion.

Seventeen private hospitals in Batangas alone are reportedly owed some P400 million, while many hospitals across the Visayas and Mindanao face similar problems.
PHAPI called on the Department of Health (DOH) to expedite the release of payments to hospitals that provided services under MAIFIP.
“Now that the elections are over, our private hospitals who cater to the MAIFIP funds by the DOH are appealing for the immediate payment of these services already given to the patients through their MAIFIP program,” said de Grano.
He underscored that the services were delivered in good faith and should not be compromised by the political outcome of those who endorsed the patients.

“We hope that this availment made through our politicians and government officials will be released at once to enable the hospitals to recover whatever benefits they have advanced to our indigent patients,” de Grano said.