CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga, Jan. 6 (PIA)– The provincial government sustains its allotment of P17.6 million in its provincial budget to pay the Philhealth contribution of 7,300 sponsored members.
Provincial Administrator Kristian Wandag said the provincial local government unit has to maintain assistance to indigents under its social services in order for said members to enjoy free hospital confinement.
He said the LGU also spend this big amount to discourage doctors who are charging professional fees indigent patients confined in charity wards since half of what will be reimbursed by Philhealth go to them.
Wandag said the provincial hospital gains from Philhealth reimbursement payments. “We generate income more than what we spend”, he said explaining that 50% of the total collection from Philhealth reimbursement goes to medical doctors and 50% to nursing and other allied services.
In another development, the provincial government also shoulders payment of medicines purchased outside of the provincial hospital but also on reimbursement basis. Patients can be reimbursed their money upon presentation of an official receipt.
P400,000.00 petty cash was granted to the hospital cashier to readily pay back patients for what they spend on outside medicines. **By Peter A. Balocnit
