PCSO medical assistance may now cover part of doctors' fees, says GM

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO)’s medical assistance may already cover at least a portion of doctors' professional fees on top of its current coverage for indigent patients, PCSO general manager Mel Robles has said.

Robles said the PCSO's assistance coverage for professional fees would not be for the entire amount because its resources were also limited.

“Iyong wala ng bayaran ang ating mamamayan, that is the dream, that is the goal. In our case, it will depend upon budget availability," Robles said in a news conference at the House of Representatives.

"Oftentimes, those who need help go to us, and they only need to settle the PF. In that case, wala kaming babayaran kasi bawal nga sa aming guidelines," he added.

"Now, we have changed the guidelines na puede na ipambayad,” Robles said.

“It might not be enough, but at least meron na po. It would depend on the cost of the PF, but we can pay some. It’s not zero anymore," he added.

"We can pay the PF now. That really addresses the situation wherein the patient is stuck at the hospital, you accumulate a larger amount of bill, just because you are yet to settle the professional fee dues,” Robles said.

“If there is a partial payment of professional fees, the hope is, puede na mag promissory note [for PF in the event there are still unpaid dues],” he added.

Robles said that the PCSO’s guarantee letter that would pay for the professional fees of doctors would be issued within the day at the soonest, provided that the patient or the family of the patient in need could submit all the requirements for the assistance.

Robles also said that PCSO can pay the doctors’ fees within the month.

“We have 45 days [to pay out our dues], but in practice, we do it within 30 days,” Robles said.

Earlier, House Committee on Appropriations chairman and Ako-Bicol party-list lawmaker Zaldy Co also called for the prompt payment of the doctors' professional fees out of the government’s budget for its indigent aid program.

In a statement, Co said that doctors tend to refuse payment from the patients who availed of the Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients Program (MAIPP) under the Department of Health due to delayed payment.

“We cannot have a system that is delayed in paying doctors. We need to ensure that our doctors are paid on time),” Co said.

“If the doctors are paid immediately, more medical professionals would be willing to help under MAIPP. Payment delays should not be obstacles in serving our countrymen),” he added. —NB, GMA Integrated News