The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has issued an advisory to
its accredited health facilities nationwide, reminding them to apply the statutory
discounts for senior citizens and persons with disability (PWD) before they discharge
their patients.
The advisory, which was released on November 17, 2023, came after PhilHealth
received reports that some health facilities failed to deduct the 20% senior citizen or
PWD discounts from their total medical bills, as mandated by Republic Acts 9994
and 10754, respectively.
PhilHealth President and CEO Emmanuel R. Ledesma, Jr. said that the application
of these discounts is part of the health facilities’ Performance Commitment with
PhilHealth, and that it is their responsibility to their members to ensure that their
privileges are properly deducted from their hospital bills.
He also clarified that the deductions should be applied in the following order: 12%
VAT exemption, 20% senior citizen or PWD discount, then the PhilHealth benefits.
He said that the balance, if any, is the only amount that the patient should pay.
He further stated that senior citizen members who are admitted in public health
facilities should not pay anything because of the No Balance Billing policy of
PhilHealth.
Ledesma warned that health facilities that fail to comply with the advisory may face
penalties and sanctions, such as fines, suspension, or revocation of accreditation.
He also encouraged members and concerned citizens to report any instances of
non-deduction of these privileges to the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs in their
respective local government units, or to the National Council for Disability Affairs.
They can also contact PhilHealth Head Office Callback Channel 0917-898-7442 or
PhilHealth’s Facebook page @PhilHealthofficial and Twitter@teamphilhealth.
He urged the public to assert their rights as mandated by the law, and assured them
that PhilHealth is ready to act on any complaints they may receive from their
members.