Hospitals confirm 18% hike in health care costs

Filipinos may have to pay at least 18 percent more for hospitalization, possibly by the beginning of the second quarter of the year—largely due to rising costs of medical supplies, Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPI) president Dr. Jose Rene de Grano said over the weekend.

-  Rhodina Villanueva

In an interview, De Grano said the figure might even be higher in view of rising inflation.

"There is supposed to be an increase by 18 percent (for hospitalization costs), probably in the second quarter of the year. It may even be higher because of the effects of inflation," De Grano said.

He said that with the rising costs of medical supplies, private hospitals would have no choice but to charge higher fees to keep operations stable and cover losses. "If these (items) will be increased from our source, then that will eventually result in an increase on our side since there is at least 10 to 20 percent markup on these items to cover for overhead expenses," he said.

"If the government can only controlthe prices of these health care commodities, then there will probably be no increase or very minimal increase in health care costs,” he added.