RECLASSIFICATION. At the Fabella Memorial Hospital. Photo by Rick Rocamora

MANILA, Philippines - PhilHealth clarified that regardless of what may come out of the reclassification of hospitals, the state-run insurance corporation will still accredit these medical facilities.

PhilHealth said it will continue paying for quality service extended to Filipinos. It added that the new classification of hospitals, embodied in the Department of Health's Administrative Order 12, will be for the benefit of Filipinos who deserve quality service.

Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAP) President Rustico Jimenez earlier expressed concern that if the classification of primary hospitals will be downgraded, and these become mere infirmaries, PhilHealth may not accredit them and assure reimbursements.

"Please allow us to again clarify that PhilHealth automatically accredits health care facilities granted a license to operate by the Department of Health. In the event where hospitals get reclassified to infirmaries should they fall short of the new classification standards, we guarantee that their accreditation with us remains but with corresponding adjustments based on their new classification," PhilHealth said in a letter to Rappler.

PhilHealth added that it will inform the public about its scheme for infirmaries moving forward. It added that while the agency will adjust its reimbursements for infirmaries based on their service capability, Filipinos are still guaranteed health care benefits in these facilities.

"We would like to assure you and the public as well that we will immediately come up with an appropriate benefit scheme for infirmaries. This way we can guarantee continued access to health care services especially by our poor members and continued PhilHealth reimbursements for infirmaries based on their adjusted service capability," PhilHealth said.

New classifications

Under the new DOH reclassification order, Level-1 hospitals should have the following facilities:

• surgery room
• isolation
• surgical and maternity facilities
• dental clinics
• secondary clinical laboratory
• blood station
• first level X-ray
• a pharmacy

Level-2 hospitals require additional departmentalized clinical services including:

• a respiratory unit
• high pregnancy risk unit
• second level X-ray with mobile unit

Level-3 hospitals should have:

• DOH-accredited teaching and training on 4 major clinical services, ambulatory surgical and dialysis clinics
• a blood bank

- Rappler.com