Hospital Bill ,ra 9439 (More Info)& A Dear Pao Article

[MikeB]

There is a national law, in effect since last month, that if you are truly poor there is no charge for Philhealth. 

[SubicSteve]

There is a national law, in effect since last month, that if you are truly poor there is no charge for Philhealth. 

 

Yes but "truly poor" is subjective.  I mean, to most of the senators who stole 10 billion pesos that was meant to go to help the poor, we are ALL truly poor.

[MikeB]

It wasn't all meant for the poor; a lot of it was to go to road rehabilitation projects, fixing the Manila flood zones, hospitals, education, farmers, etc so it affects ALL levels of society, even those who pay taxes but have no say on who decides where it goes. 

[MikeeW]

There are a variety of social welfare programs available at the barangay level.  Unfortunately, the officials who are tasked to do the certification of those truly in need are the elected barangay officials.  Do you see where this is going to go?  It has been the practice where I live that when the doling gets started, those in the front of the line are........well, the word patronage comes to mind about now.

 

From what I've been able to understand, there are no free passes with PhilHealth. That is, if a person is enrolled, a fee is paid.  Who pays the fee may be another agency.  This is where the trouble begins.  I recall a while back when local politicians handed out "free" Philhealth cards to supporters.  Trouble is, the cards we free alright.  The individual was still obliged to register and pay the fees.  

[Americano]

There is a national law, in effect since last month, that if you are truly poor there is no charge for Philhealth. 

 

Mike, do you know where to find this law?  I know some poor families who could benefit from this. Would you believe I have talked to Filipinos in Mindanao who have never heard of Philhealth. The government agencies are not doing a good enough job advertising, especially when a new law is implemented.

 

I have read in news articles that the government pays 100% for some diseases like dengue and the one people get from walking in polluted water during a flood. I guess the government is saying they take the responsibility for not correcting those health problems.

 

Here's proof that my wife is smarter than me. I just told her about the new law and she said the new law is just another opportunity for corruption. Officials will be given money to pay for Philhealth for the poor and they will use the money themselves. Well, she's been living here for 24 years so she should know her country and its people better than me.

Edited September 26, 2013 by Americano

[MikeB]

There are many articles:

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/313936/news/nation/new-law-provides-philhealth-coverage-to-all

As the other poster said there are programs at the local level but this is a national law. I would tell them to go to a Philhealth office and ask how to sign up. You have to be classed as indigent by the Dept of Social Welfare and Development. It's hard not to be cynical when you read what goes on here and, incredibly, the same names over and over. 

[jpbago]

I have read in news articles that the government pays 100% for some diseases like dengue

That is true but only if you recover or die before the Philhealth cap limit is met. Check out their website.

 

Bacolod did give out many cards and now Philhealth is asking for 10 million p. The new mayor says that the old mayor did that, not him. You need both the card and the statement saying you are paid up 3 months ago otherwise the card is as useful as the ACR card.

[Papa Carl]

Several years ago, I had a problem, went to the emergency of one of the best hospitals in Manila, but before I would allow them to admit me, I clearly stated "I have no money, so unless my "private health" covers this I will not allow myself to be admitted. Fortunately I had a witness with me at the time as I could not walk.

 

They said, yes Mr. Taylor, no problem......, ha, well 12 days later, and with a bill of over 145,000 pesos, they said sorry we made a mistake and you will have to cover the costs!

 

I got dressed and started to leave, a security guard stopped me, along with several of the senior doctors etc.

 

After about 3 hours of arguing my case, I finally lost it and took my wife, two friends who were with me, (one of who was the witness when I was admitted, and stated in a very loud voice. 

 

"I am leaving, if you or anyone else lays a hand on me or my wife, I will sue the individual and this hospital for illegally detaining me without just cause!"

One security guard stood in front of the door, and I walked up to him,.... looked up, (as he was quite a bit taller than me) and looked him in the chest and said again, "if you touch me, you will be cited for illegally confining me", then walked past him, and the 6 or so guards at the front door as well.

The hospital chased me for some months. I even went back to the hospital and paid something to do with the "Phillhealth part of the bill" but not the full bill.

I have not heard from them since.

It did help I believe that the doctor who wrote the report on my tests was the wife of the Health Minister, and she clearly stated in her report, that my condition was not caused by me, or anything that I did to myself, and that it could not be considered as a "pre-existing condition".

I do hope I don't have any fall back from this some years from now, but I had to tell my story when I saw the comment "that the hospital has the right to prevent you from leaving the premises" if your bill has not been settled.

Papa Carl

[i am bob]

I believe Papa Carl has the answer... Before being admitted, have the hospital confirm that your private insurance (PhilHealth) is the only payment required. And then always make sure you have a witness AND record it on your phone! Kind of hard to be denied when it's recorded.

[brock]

Bob, Bob,   Hard to be denied when recorded    :hystery: