Palace Orders Prompt Processing of Medical Aid Claims

Malacañang has ordered the Department of Health (DOH) to work closely with its regional directors and hospitals to ensure the timely processing of legitimate claims under a program designed to assist patients facing financial difficulties. The office of Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said the timely processing of claims, under the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program, would help health care facilities sustain strong operations and ensure uninterrupted care to patients from vulnerable and low-income communities. “Let us continue coordinating with the regional directors, verify the accounts payable and process the valid claims promptly. These funds are available to support our patients and our partner hospitals,” Recto said in a statement issued yesterday. Funds from MAIFIP will be used to support valid claims for essential health care services like hospitalization, medicine, emergency treatment, professional fees and other necessary medical expenses. The Department of Budget and Management recently released P27.4 billion to the DOH for the continued implementation of the program under this year’s national budget. The bulk of the allocation – P19.145 billion – will be given to DOH health development centers to provide medical assistance through regional networks and partner health care facilities nationwide. DOH hospitals in Metro Manila will receive P4.353 billion, while the Lung Center of the Philippines, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Philippine Children’s Medical Center and Philippine Heart Center will be given P2.910 billion. The administration will provide P950 million to the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital and P52 million to drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation centers.