PHAPI seeks payment for P7 billion in services

A group of private hospitals on Monday expressed concern over potential non-payment of more than P7 billion worth of medical services provided under the government's Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program. The worry stems from reports that some patients were endorsed by political candidates who failed to win in the recent elections.

- 

The Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPI) questioned whether hospitals will still be compensated for services rendered, even if the political sponsors of the indigent patients were not elected in the May 12 polls.

"They are worried since not all of the 'sponsors' won in the last elections," PHAPI President Dr. Jose de Grano said in an interview.

De Grano disclosed that around 40 percent of PHAPI's 1,200 member hospitals are awaiting payment for services amounting to over P7 billion.