PhilHealth introduces "No Balance Billing"

HILONGOS, LEYTE, Philippines  – PhilHealth introduced its latest program, in partnership with Leyte Baptist Hospital, Inc., a private corporation located in this town, to efficiently serve members.

Walter Bacareza, PhilHealth regional vice president, said the “No Balance Billing” scheme would mean that members who are admitted in the ward section of the hospital will no longer pay for any balance in their accounts if they are discharged from the medical facility.

“PhilHealth and Leyte Baptist Hospital, Inc. (LBHI) will be the ones to take care of the bills,” he said, adding that a hospital staff will be trained by PhilHealth to manage the link between the two entities on verification of membership, payments and related transactions.

Bacareza also assured the public that once the system is in place, members who forgot their IDs and other proof of membership need not worry because it will be verified in the hospital. “PhilHealth chose LBHI on top of the others because it is not profit oriented,” he told The Freeman.

LBHI is the first private hospital in Leyte to have a partnership with PhilHealth under this program, he said while hoping that this will be replicated throughout the country and will answer critics’ claim about slow payment and ‘malabo’ policy of his office.

Under the MOA signed last July 18, PhilHealth shall provide the means and modes for membership and eligibility verification for the hospital. It shall also facilitate the speedy, convenient and effective reimbursement of claims covered under the program to ensure the return of funds to the hospital.

LBHI, on the other hand, shall participate and perform all the obligations and commitments of health care providers in PhilHealth’s No Balance Billing Program exclusively for sponsored program members and dependents. It shall no longer charge qualified members and dependents other fees and expenses above the medical and surgical case rates rendered.

Hospital medical director Regan Espina welcomed the development as a new positive phase in treating poor patients. In signing the MOA in behalf of LBHI, he hoped that the partnership will continue serving the Filipino people.

PhilHealth’s executive assistant Alfredo Ty and division chief Arlan Granali, and LBHI administrator Wilma Libatan were also present during the MOA signing.