MANILA – The Philippine Health Insurance Corp.’s (PhilHealth) interim reimbursement mechanism (IRM) system must be abolished in light of the issues hounding it, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said.
The IRM system, according to the veteran lawmaker, does not serve its purpose of paying hospitals and healthcare facilities in advance for insurance claims, to ensure that they could function during crises.
“Itigil na itong IRM. Kaya nagkakaroon nito dahil ang bagal ng pagbayad ng PhilHealth doon sa mga claimants under the PhilHealth regular program,” Drilon said in an interview with DZBB on Sunday.
“Ibig sabihin ang mga ospital ay hirap na hirap na, marami silang mga serbisyo na nagawa na at humihingi ng reimbursement sa PhilHealth, hindi naibibigay ang reimbursement,” he added.
PhilHealth announced last week that it has temporarily suspended the IRM “to review its overall implementation and resolve issues arising from Congressional inquiries” but has assured that PhilHealth benefits for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases still continue.
“Ang sinuspinde ‘yung further advances, ang patuloy na pag-advance ng pondo para sa COVID,” Drilon said. “Kung ayusin na nila ang sistema at mabilis ang pag-reimburse ng claims sa PhilHealth, hindi kailangan ang interim reimbursement mechanism.”
“Doon pa lang sa pangalan na reimbursement, mali na e dahilan sa hindi naman ‘yan totoo na reimbursement kundi advances,” he added./PN
