Iloilo: Five private hospitals in Western Visayas have entered into agreements with the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to implement a no co-payment policy, allowing eligible members to receive basic or ward accommodation without incurring out-of-pocket expenses.
According to Philippines News Agency, Janimhe Jalbuna, head of the PhilHealth Western Visayas Public Affairs Unit, announced that the five hospitals recently signed memoranda of agreement with the state health insurer. The participating facilities include Asia Pacific Medical Center-Iloilo, Healthway QualiMed Hospital-Iloilo, Iloilo Doctors' Hospital, Saint Gabriel Medical Center Inc. in Kalibo, and Semirara Mining and Power Corp. Hospital in Antique.
"This will greatly benefit our PhilHealth members. With the no co-payment policy, our members who are confined in basic or ward accommodation in any PhilHealth-accredited facility, be it government, specialty or private, will be guaranteed no out-of-pocket expense," Jalbuna stated. The policy applies to members admitted in basic or ward accommodation and who avail themselves of the minimum standards of care.
Covered services under this policy include room and board, medicines, professional fees, laboratory procedures, and other necessary medical services. As per PhilHealth Circular No. 2020-024, basic or ward accommodation comprises a bed in a shared room, regular meals, fan ventilation, and a shared toilet and bath.
The five hospitals have committed to allocating 10 percent of their bed capacity for eligible PhilHealth members under this policy, collectively offering 64 ward-type beds. Jalbuna also mentioned that other private health facilities expressed interest in adopting the policy during the signing ceremony.
This no co-payment policy builds on the no balance billing (NBB) policy introduced under PhilHealth Circular No. 2017-0017. Previously, NBB was limited to indigent, sponsored, domestic worker, senior citizen, and lifetime members, primarily in government facilities.
"With the passing of the UHC Law, from NBB, it has become no co-payment. The no co-pay policy is now guaranteeing that all members and dependents of PhilHealth, regardless of membership category, whether you are paying or you are an indirect contributor," Jalbuna added.
