AKBAYAN Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula has called on the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to set up member action desks in hospitals to ensure patients receive immediate assistance when resolving claim issues.
This statement was issued after Executive Secretary Ralph Recto vowed to meet Philhealth officials this week, following an incident that went viral of Maria Lourdes Sulit whose husband, a paying member, was not able to avail of benefits after his death because of the 24-hour confinement rule.
“Hindi pwedeng maging requirement sa pasyente ang mag-viral bago mabigyan ng aksyon ng Philheath,” Ismula said.
“Ang bawat nagbabayad na miyembro ay may karapatan sa mabilis at maayos na serbisyo. Sa loob pa lamang ng ospital, dapat ay may direktang masasandigan ang ating mga kababayan sa oras ng kanilang pangangailangan.”
Rep. Ismula also urged Philhealth to review the controversial 24-hour confinement rule, which limits full coverage if an emergency patient is discharged or passes away within hours of admission.
“We seriously urge PhilHealth to investigate and study the 24-hour confinement rule because in fighting against fraud, the paying members should not be at the expense of the system,” Rep. Ismula added.
“Dapat ay suriing mabuti kung tama pa ba ang patakarang ito. Sa pag-iingat laban sa pandaraya, huwag naman nating ipitin ang mga miyembrong tapat na nagbabayad ng kanilang kontribusyon sa gitna ng biglaang emergency.”
metrosundaily
