CCMC: No balance billing policy will still be in effect

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Medical Center officials are reminding the public that as they are set to open the hospital soon, the “zero-patient spending: no balance billing policy” will still be implemented.

In a press conference yesterday at the Cebu City Hall, CCMC head, lawyer Rey Chris Panugaling, said that the policy will help patients lessen their financial needs.

"Wala'y kuwarta? Wala'y problema because in Cebu City Medical Center, we would like to always educate our people that you just have to go to the hospital where you have PhilHealth or not," he said.

Based on PhilHealth circular 0003, the “no balance billing” is a new PhilHealth policy which mandates that no other fees shall be charged or paid by the indigent PhilHealth patients above and beyond the packaged rates.

The no balance billing policy generally covers PhilHealth sponsored members and their dependents.

However, the policy applies only to all PhilHealth sponsored program members and their dependents who want to avail of the specific cases when admitted in government facilities or hospitals.

The “PhilHealth on the spot: point of care” program will also be implemented wherein the medical social welfare officers of CCMC will be the ones to enroll non-PhilHealth indigent patients to PhilHealth online.

"Those of you who come in here nga wala pay PhilHealth, ang amo ng mga tawo sa Cebu City Medical Center na ang mo-enroll ninyo. Ang CCMC na sad ang mobayad sa premium nga tag P2,400 every month, that's why no money, no problem," Panugaling added.

Patients are also reminded of the “no professional fee” policy.

"Professional fees sa doctor kay bawal na siya sa balaud. So amo giawhag ang publiko nga kung na-admit sa CCMC and nigasto, nipalit og mga gamit, nibayad og professional fees, please let us know because we need you to help us discipline and regulate ourselves," Panugaling said.

"Cebu City Medical Center is the only hospital that never collects down payments, no professional fees and no extra charges. Makita na sa bayranan na dili kamo ang nibayad but ang gobiyerno," he added.

CCMC's social welfare officers will also connect and facilitate the needs of other patients through other social welfare fund sources of the city like the Cebu City Hospitalization Assistance Medicines Program, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and non-government organizations whenever patients need financial assistance.

The out-patient department will already be serving patients from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., starting May 2 from Monday to Friday.

Panugaling emphasized that they are not operating a temporary hospital.

"We might be moving to a new building, but for the moment, we are here to stay. We invested on a temporary site because we should not compromise the quality of health care." he said.

He also presented the hospital's plan for the coming months.

In July, the wards on the annex side, the medical, surgical wards, the mother and child center, pediatrics and the OB will already be air-conditioned.

The intensive care unit will also have new seven cardiac monitors and advance life support equipment.

There will be eight CCTV cameras available 24/7 to ensure security of the hospital.

CCMC will also have the first ever biological utility operating room.

On May 1, Mayor Michael Rama will officially open the hospital's emergency room.

Panugaling assured the public that the new CCMC will cater to all types of patients, from the indigent to elite. — (FREEMAN)