PhilHealth accreditation for CCQC underway  

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Council has authorized Mayor Michael Rama to sign the Performance Commitment for Community Isolation Units with Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) for the accreditation of the Cebu City Quarantine Center (CCQC).

Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera sponsored a resolution on the matter which was approved by the council.

Pesquera said the CCQC, an existing isolation facility operated by the city government, sought the authority of the Sangguniang Panlungsod to authorize Rama to enter, sign, and execute the Performance Commitment for Community Isolation Units with PhilHealth.

“The aforementioned Performance Commitment for Community Isolation Units is for CCQC's accreditation to PhilHealth for the patients who will isolate inside the facility,” said Pesquera.

She added that in a letter in response to a request for a Legal Opinion, the City Legal Office (CLO) has endorsed the matter as the said Performance Commitment is not contrary to law, morals, and public policy.

Among the commitments of CCQC in terms of compliance to pertinent laws/rules and regulations/ policies/administrative orders and issuances are facilitating distribution of the professional fee component of the PhilHealth payment/reimbursement to the concerned professionals not exceeding 30 calendar days upon receipt of the reimbursement or at a time frame as agreed upon by the health care institution (HCI) and their professionals; and maintaining a trust fund, being a government owned (for public-owned facilities only) HCI, for the PhilHealth reimbursements in compliance to Section 34A of Republic Act 10606 which provides that "revenues shall be used to defray operating costs other than salaries, to maintain or upgrade equipment, plant or facility, and to maintain or improve the quality of care.”

It also committed that they shall ensure that PhilHealth member-patient with needs beyond their service capability are referred to appropriate PhilHealth-accredited health facilities. —   FPL (FREEMAN)