LAGUNA, Philippines — The University of Santo Tomas Hospital in Sampaloc, Manila has had to reduce non-frontline workers due to economic difficulties and awaiting Philippine Health Insurance Corp. reimbursements.
According to the Chairman of the UST Board of Trustees, Rev. Fr. Napoleon Sipalay Jr., the memorandum on the retrenchment of employees will be issued for review by the UST Board of Trustees on their meeting scheduled on May 20.
“Painful decisions needed to be made. In view of the enormous impact of the pandemic, USTH has to implement the right-sizing of its non-crucial (non-frontliner) manpower complement, in addition to other measures which included adjustment of operating hours and implementation of other cost efficiency measures,” Dr. Marcellus Francis Ramirez, medical director of USTH, said in a report by The Varsitarian.
In its statement, the hospital faced losses due to the enhanced community quarantine because fewer patients have been coming in.
Ramirez added the contingency measures to address the pandemic led to a financial cost. It includes cancelling elective procedures and admissions.
Also, PhilHealth owes the hospital at least ₱180 million in expenses for patients serviced in 2019, declared by the hospital.
“While PhilHealth has instituted healthcare coverage of admitted COVID patients, reimbursement is delayed by an average of 5-6 months. Currently the receivable of USTH from PhilHealth stands at more than P180 million and counting,” the hospital also said.
PhilHealth denied the claims of USTH. They asked them to double check its data as there seems to be a discrepancy.
“Malaki ang naibalik namin sa kanila in claims because of deficiencies on their part,” Dr. Shirley Domingo, vice president and spokesperson of PhilHealth, told CNN Philippines on Monday.
Source: The Philippine Star and CNN Philippines