Duterte directs filing of cases vs those involved in fraudulent Philhealth claims on “ghost dialysis” cases

(File photo) President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his speech during the 2019 Eid’l Fitr Celebration at the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center in Davao City on June 6, 2019. TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

 

(Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the filing of criminal charges against those involved in the alleged fraud and corruption at the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, particularly fraudulent claims on “ghost” dialysis cases.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that the President had already directed the Philhealth management to “submit a detailed report” on the alleged irregularities.

“The President directs the management of the Philhealth to institute criminal actions against those officials and employees who wittingly or unwittingly allowed such misuse of funds to take place for years,” he said.

“The President instructs the institution’s acting President to submit a detailed report on these irregularities. We will put a stop to this corruption and we will make sure that the law on universal health care is strictly enforced,” Panelo stressed.




“All persons involved in the alleged fraud will be prosecuted and face accountability. They shall reap the harshest penalty imposed by law. Nothing can shield them from prosecution and punishment,” he added.

Panelo also said that Malacanang was deeply concerned about such reports of irregularities in Philhealth and its accredited partners.

“The Palace views with deep concern the allegations of irregularities involving the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation particularly those with regard to the reported anomalis in connection with bogus kidney dialysis treatments,” Panelo said.

“We will put a stop to this corruption and we will make sure that the law on universal health care is strictly enforced,” he added.

Philhealth said that it is currently investigating more than 8,900 cases of fraudulent activities committed by some of its partner health institutions.

-Not an isolated case-

It said that the “ghost dialysis” scheme at the WellMed Dialysis and Laboratory Center in Novaliches, Quezon City was not an isolated case.

Two former employees of WellMed recently came out to expose the “ghost dialysis” scheme at the center where the names of deceased patients were being used to process claims with Philhealth.

“Hindi po isolated case ito [This is not an isolated case]. Our records show that currently we are investigating up to 8,900 plus cases that are pending in our investigation department,” said Philhealth spokesperson Dr. Shirley Domingo.

Philhealth acting president and CEO Dr. Rey Ferrer also assured that the corporation “does not condone such acts as it undermines the people’s entitlement to one of their basic rights as human beings – the right to appropriate medical care.”

“In relation to this case, the corporation has filed 28 counts of administrative cases of claims for non-admitted/treated patients; misrepresentation by furnishing false or incorrect information; and breach of warranties of accreditation/ performance commitment against the mentioned dialysis center,” he said in a press briefing.

“Our Board of Directors has approved the hiring of additional human resource to ensure speedy identification and resolution of cases,” Ferrer added.