Go to hospitals, test centers: Follow price cap on swabs

MANILA, Philippines — Hospitals, laboratories and other health facilities should follow the price cap for COVID-19 tests set by the government, Sen. Bong Go said.

Go said the price cap on the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing imposed by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) was meant to make COVID-19 testing affordable to the general public.

“We are reminding hospitals, laboratories, testing centers and other health facilities to comply with the prescribed price cap on RT-PCR testing and ensure tests are eligible for PhilHealth coverage,” he said.

“We must help our countrymen who are suffering. Do not let anyone take advantage of others. Testing must be orderly, focused and affordable in the country, and its availability, affordability and accessibility guaranteed,” he added.

Go emphasized the importance of testing, saying it’s one of the pillars of the government’s pandemic response.

He noted that COVID-19 testing is a requirement for patients, close contacts and returning overseas Filipinos, among others. In view of this, he said testing has become a fundamental commodity and crucial component in the country’s recovery efforts, Go pointed out.

“Because of testing, we know who should be isolated or should be given competent medical attention. It’s important because we don’t see the enemy,” stressed Go.

Go also reminded the public that the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) also has its benefit package rates for COVID-19 RT-PCR testing. These testing benefits can be availed of by close contacts of probable or confirmed COVID-19 cases in PhilHealth-accredited testing laboratories.

The senator said the DOH and the DTI should pursue violators and punish them to deter overpricing.

“Those who would take advantage of others’ pain to gain profit must be punished. It is not right that we make money from the sufferings of our countrymen. Let’s not increase the burden of the Filipinos,” he said.

President Duterte signed Executive Order No. 118 in 2020, directing DOH and DTI to come up with a price range for RT-PCR testing.

The senator encouraged DOH and DTI to regularly review the price cap to ensure that it stays fair and reasonable.

As of September 2021, price caps for RT-PCR tests were set at P2,800 for plate-based and P2,450 for GeneXpert in public laboratories; and P3,360 for plate-based and P2,940 for GeneXpert in private laboratories.