Rappler's latest stories on health insurance
PhilHealth chief: ‘Premature’ to meet Duterte over corruption allegations
'Meron tayong inefficiencies. Merong maling pasok ng dokumento, mali ang pagfill up ng form, pero walang syndicate colluding to defraud the corporation at that scale,' PhilHealth President and CEO Ricardo Morales says
PhilHealth extends payment of contributions for self-paying members to June 30
PhilHealth also says that flexible and deferred payment scheme remains an option for overseas Filipino workers
Lawmakers oppose proposal to delay universal health care law implementation
Senator Risa Hontiveros tells PhilHealth the coronavirus pandemic is the 'litmus test' for the implementation of the Universal Health Care Act
PhilHealth releases new COVID-19 testing rate package
PhilHealth releases the new COVID-19 testing package after it drew criticism for supposed pricey rates
PhilHealth eyes libel over claim late payments forcing 300 hospitals to close
Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines chief Rustico Jimenez is practically blackmailing PhilHealth into ‘paying out public funds without due diligence,’ says the government-owned corporation
After backlash, PhilHealth lowers COVID-19 testing rate to P4,210
'This is a victory for better governance and anti-corruption drive. Our triumph has proven that our collective voice is stronger than ever,' Senator Franklin Drilon says
Drilon asks PhilHealth to review P8,150 coronavirus testing package
Senator Franklin Drilon warns PhilHealth President Ricardo Morales that the agency runs the risk of 'overspending or overreimbursing' if it does not review its current package
[ANALYSIS] The inhumanity of PhilHealth’s new fees on overseas Filipinos
Although PhilHealth already put on hold the collection of the new premium rate – at least over the course of the pandemic – it must also revoke some of the unconscionable rules it had put in place
FALSE: Risa Hontiveros quote on OFWs paying higher PhilHealth rate
Hontiveros did not say the quote attributed to her. She labeled the quote card as 'fake news.'
After OFW rate hike draws ire, PhilHealth suspends collections
(UPDATED) The state insurer says overseas Filipinos and self-employed members can give their contributions until the end of 2020
300,000 sign online petition opposing increase in OFW PhilHealth contributions
(UPDATED) Filipino migrant groups also urge the government to enforce a moratorium on all state collections from OFWs during the coronavirus pandemic and remove punitive penalties
PhilHealth announces rate package for coronavirus hospitalization
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation says that a total of P6 billion has been released so far
PhilHealth to cover expenses of coronavirus patients until April 14
The state insurer says it will release a new set of guidelines which will include 'appropriate case rate and protocol' for the coronavirus disease coverage
Lack of PhilHealth rules on coronavirus expenses leaves patient’s family in limbo
PhilHealth earlier announced a P30-billion budget to cover all expenses of coronavirus patients who are its members, confined in accredited hospitals. Banking on this assurance, the son of a COVID-19 patient checks if his father, who has a running bill of P1.4 million, is covered as well.
PhilHealth to shoulder coronavirus-related expenses
PhilHealth says it is releasing P30 billion to its accredited hospitals amid the coronavirus outbreak. Will this be enough?
PCSO turning over P420 million to PhilHealth for coronavirus response
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles says funds will be used for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation's coronavirus packages
PhilHealth commits P30 billion to hospitals vs coronavirus
The move provides health care providers with 'much needed liquidity' to respond to the novel coronavirus pandemic
PhilHealth to shoulder coronavirus test costs – Malacañang
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles also says diagnostics company Manila Healthtek is developing a 'rapid test kist' to aid in testing for COVID-19
Duterte appoints to DOH ex-PhilHealth exec who quit over fraudulent claims
Roy Ferrer is named an assistant secretary of the Department of Health months after he was made to hand in a courtesy resignation over fraudulent claims made to PhilHealth
Hontiveros slams private hospitals for threat to cut ties with Philhealth
Senator Risa Hontiveros calls the threat 'sad and ill-timed' as the landmark Universal Health Care Act will begin implementation next year
Whistle-blowers in Philhealth-Wellmed scam arrested
(UPDATED) Lawyer Harry Roque is requesting the Ombudsman to take over so the whistle-blowers can qualify as state witnesses
American poverty fell in 2018 but more lack health insurance – U.S. Census
Data show government health coverage intended for the poorest Americans weakened in 2018, notably affecting large numbers of children
WATCH: Senate hearing on Philhealth, DOH corruption allegations
Philhealth allegedly continues paying WellMed Dialysis Center even after its accreditation was suspended because of its involvement in a scam
PhilHealth officials: NBI accusations 'sweeping, irresponsible, insensitive'
PhilHealth officials accused of failing to flag fraudulent claims of the Wellmed Dialysis Center, say the NBI copied their names from a harmless document without investigating them
NBI files graft complaints vs 21 Philhealth officials over Wellmed scam
The officials hold different positions in the accreditation committee of Philhealth
COA approves special audit of Philhealth funds – Drilon
Senate Minority Franklin Drilon also says the Commission on Audit will conduct an 'accurate review' of the actuarial life of Philhealth
Ex-Philhealth officials, 'Mindanao group' trade allegations at Senate hearing
The group, composed mostly of Philhealth regional vice presidents, are reportedly known in the government agency for their clout. Members of the group call themselves 'anti-fraud crusaders.'
WellMed received payments from PhilHealth despite suspension
Senator Panfilo Lacson says the dialysis center was even paid ‘with record speed’ of just two days at the time when the fraud was already made public
COA to Philhealth regional officials: Return P34-M illegal bonuses
The Commission on Audit denies the petitions for review filed by Philhealth regional offices in Metro Manila and Soccsksargen
Angara wants Senate probe into Philhealth scam
Senator Juan Edgardo Angara says the probe would help craft policies to 'prevent such fraud' and 'conduct a review of the fund utilization' of the government corporation
Duque volunteers to be investigated by DOJ in ongoing PhilHealth probe
Even though he was not being probed, the health secretary asks the DOJ to investigate him
FALSE: PhilHealth’s problems started during Hontiveros' term – Garin
The former health secretary said they spotted fraudulent schemes way back in 2006. Hontiveros was not yet part of PhilHealth then
Ricardo Morales named PhilHealth president
(UPDATED) From being appointed to the MWSS, retired army general Ricardo Morales has been tapped to head the embattled PhilHealth
Gov't to run after corrupt health providers, PhilHealth officials – Duque
'Tama na ang hocus pocus...I will ensure that justice will be served to those who defraud the system,' says Health Secretary Francisco Duque III
Why doctor in Philhealth scandal is still detained despite warrantless arrest
’It is unclear what the basis is,’ says law professor Ted Te who also called a court’s habeas corpus ruling ‘confusing’
After reshuffle, PhilHealth COO Ruben Basa to take over as officer-in-charge – Duque
Health Secretary Francisco Duque II assures the public PhilHealth's services would not be affected by the reshuffle and change in leadership
Dialysis center staff face fraud charges, but not Philhealth officials
Complaints of estafa and falsification of documents are filed against 10 employees of the Wellmed Dialysis Center, including the two whistleblowers
Duterte asks doctor-businessman Jaime Cruz to be PhilHealth president
Dr Jaime T. Cruz, CEO of the JTC Group of Companies, is yet to accept the President's offer
Doctor tagged in Philhealth scandal arrested without warrant
Dr Brian Sy, an owner of the dialysis center that allegedly charged Philhealth for the treatment of ghost patients, is arrested when he shows up at the NBI on a subpoena
Duterte asks PhilHealth acting president, board members to resign
(UPDATED) But President Rodrigo Duterte will still need to accept their resignation. Malacañang gives assurances PhilHealth services will not be hampered.
Duterte eyes reshuffle at PhilHealth
(UPDATED) The planned reshuffle stems from allegations that the government agency paid for the dialysis treatment of patients who were already dead or had completed their treatment
Duterte orders PhilHealth to run after employees in 'ghost' kidney treatments
PhilHealth management must pursue criminal complaints against officials and employees involved in the alleged scam, says President Rodrigo Duterte
Trump administration escalates legal battle against Obamacare
Democrats react with anger to the administration's latest move
Another PhilHealth acting president accused of corruption
Employees tell the Ombudsman PhilHealth acting president and CEO Roy Ferrer continued to be reimbursed by PhilHealth as a private doctor while receiving salaries and allowances as its board member
COA to PhilHealth: Return P164-M illegal perks
The Commission on Audit reminds PhilHealth that its operating fund is mainly sourced from members' contributions which 'should be managed and protected with utmost integrity'
Duterte to certify as urgent universal healthcare coverage bill
Supporters of the bill say the proposed measure would give Filipinos the 'full spectrum' of health services but its critics fear it would allow private facilities to dominate the health care system
Employees hold nationwide vigil to protest PhilHealth mismanagement
(UPDATED) From Luzon to Mindanao, employees unite to protest the grave abuses inside the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. They send photos deliberately blurred to hide their identities.
House to investigate PhilHealth OIC's excessive travels, hotel stays
Surigao Del Norte 2nd District Representative Johnny Pimentel says he will schedule a probe in August into the lavish lifestyle of PhilHealth interim president Celestina De la Serna
Garin, Padilla face graft complaint over P10.6-B PhilHealth seniors' fund
Former health secretary Janette Garin and ex-PhilHealth CEO Alex Padilla deny the accusation, saying there was no money lost or stolen when they used the fund to establish health centers nationwide
Contrary to OIC claim, PhilHealth rents housing for its officers
Documents and photos contradict the claim of interim president Celestina Ma Jude de la Serna that PhilHealth 'doesn't have a service apartment' so she has to stay in hotels
