Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has revealed a kickback scheme in private hospitals involving PhilHealth personnel and fraudulent billings. Patients are told their bills are not covered by PhilHealth, leading them to pay cash, after which hospitals alter receipts to claim PhilHealth payment. He urged patients to file complaints against those involved.
During his radio program "Executive Session" on dzRH, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla described the scheme's operations. "The (patients') cash will be ‘kickbacked.’ They will say the bill is not covered by PhilHealth," he said in Filipino.
For instance, a patient is billed P75,000 and, told they lack PhilHealth coverage, pays the full amount in cash. After the patient leaves, the hospital alters the receipt: the actual P35,000 goes to the hospital, with schemers taking the difference.
"If verified that they falsified the receipts, complaints can be filed against hospital employees and PhilHealth," Remulla stated. He called on the public to report such incidents for accountability.
The revelation stems from the Ombudsman's investigation into corruption in the health sector.