PhilHealth Region 11 denies corruption in SPMC funds disbursement
Photo Credit: PhilHealth Region XI Facebook Page
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Regional 11 office on Thursday denied allegations of favoritism or corruption in the Interim Reimbursement Mechanism (IRM) released to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City.
PhilHealth 11 Acting Regional Vice-President Dr. Hector Zenon Leonardo P. Malate maintained that all IRM releases in Davao Region are in accordance with existing rules and regulations on the provision of IRM funds by the Corporation.
Malate issued the statement after the Senate investigation into alleged corruption in PhilHealth found on August 11 that SPMC had received the biggest amount of compensation under the IRM for the treatment of COVID-19 patients.
Malate explained that the 1,500-bed SPMC received a large allotment because it is the largest government hospital in the country and it also caters to patient referrals from other regions outside Davao.
He added that SPMC is one of the two COVID-19 centers in the region and is the biggest COVID-19 referral hospital in Mindanao.
Malate further said that the amount of IRM funds released to SPMC was based on the hospital’s 90-day annual historic benefit claim.
The Philhealth official also clarified that since the current health crisis affects everyone, the IRM is not limited to COVID-19 treatment but is for all health care services such as dialysis, chemotherapy, and maternity benefits.
PhilHealth 11 Acting Regional Vice-President Dr. Hector Zenon Leonardo P. Malate maintained that all IRM releases in Davao Region are in accordance with existing rules and regulations on the provision of IRM funds by the Corporation.
Malate issued the statement after the Senate investigation into alleged corruption in PhilHealth found on August 11 that SPMC had received the biggest amount of compensation under the IRM for the treatment of COVID-19 patients.
Malate explained that the 1,500-bed SPMC received a large allotment because it is the largest government hospital in the country and it also caters to patient referrals from other regions outside Davao.
He added that SPMC is one of the two COVID-19 centers in the region and is the biggest COVID-19 referral hospital in Mindanao.
Malate further said that the amount of IRM funds released to SPMC was based on the hospital’s 90-day annual historic benefit claim.
The Philhealth official also clarified that since the current health crisis affects everyone, the IRM is not limited to COVID-19 treatment but is for all health care services such as dialysis, chemotherapy, and maternity benefits.