PhilHealth ‘on track’ to pay P27-B outstanding debt to hospitals

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation on Monday expressed confidence that it would be able to settle its outstanding debts to hospitals amounting to P27 billion ahead of its self-imposed deadline in December.

In a press briefing, PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. said that at least 76 percent of the P27 billion unpaid claims have been paid.

"It's been roughly 30 days since we made the announcement and already 76 percent have been paid," Ledesma said.

"Clearly, we are on track. We will probably be able to complete it ahead of time," he added.

Earlier this month, Ledesma made a commitment before lawmakers that the state-run health insurer would settle "a bulk or majority" of its P27 billion unpaid claims to various hospitals in the country within 90 days.

He said it during the budget deliberation of the House Committee on Appropriations on the proposed P199 billion budget of the Department of Health for the upcoming fiscal year.

According to the state-run health insurer's top official, the Debit-Credit Payment Method would also be used to accelerate the payment for unpaid hospital claims.

"It will make the reconciliation faster," he said.

Under the paying scheme, PhilHealth will only pay at least 80 percent of the total unpaid claims of the hospitals. The remaining unpaid claims will be settled after the completion of processing requirements.