Overpriced Medical Bills Spark Concern From Ombudsman Remulla
REMULLA – Overpriced medical bills are now under scrutiny after strong remarks from Jesus Crispin Remulla.
Concerns over allegedly excessive hospital charges have been brought to light after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla criticized what he described as “bloated expenses” in some private hospitals.
In an interview on the program “Executive Session” of DZRH on Saturday, April 11, Remulla expressed concern over the rising costs that patients are being asked to shoulder, particularly in private healthcare facilities. He pointed out that certain charges, especially room rates, appear disproportionately high compared to the subsidies provided by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.
“‘Yong mga private hospital kasi, minsan sobrang taas ng presyo. Halimbawa, room rates, sobrang taas, e ang sinusubsidize ng PhilHealth [ay] maliliit. So dapat, pag-aralan ulit, gumawa ng bagong schedule. Room rates lang kasi, malaking tulong na ‘yan e. Mas malaking parte ang masagot [ng gobyerno],” said Remulla.
He further emphasized that emergency room charges are another area that needs urgent review, describing them as consistently inflated.
“‘Yong mga ER expenses, laging bloated ‘yan ha. ER expenses, dapat ‘yan ayusin ng ano ‘yan, PhilHealth. Sobrang mahal ng ER expenses. Kaya ‘pag nagpa-ER ka para kang ano e, para kang nagulpi ulit, e,” he added.
Despite raising these concerns, Remulla clarified that addressing the issue may not fall entirely within the Ombudsman’s authority. He explained that the matter remains within a “gray area,” particularly because it involves PhilHealth funds.
“It’s still a gray area kung covered namin o hindi, kasi PhilHealth funds, e,” the Ombudsman said.
Meanwhile, Senator JV Ejercito also weighed in on the issue during the same program. He echoed concerns about potential exploitation in hospital pricing and stressed the role of PhilHealth in safeguarding patients.
“‘Yong PhilHealth, nandiyan dapat para sagutin. Kaya lang marami rin ang nagsasamantala na mga private hospitals na itaas ‘yong rates. ‘Yong HTAC… dapat tingnan din ito,” said Ejercito.
However, neither Remulla nor Ejercito identified any specific private hospitals in connection with the alleged overpricing.
As of this writing, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation has yet to release an official statement addressing the issue. The concerns raised, however, have sparked renewed calls for closer scrutiny of hospital billing practices and potential reforms to ensure that healthcare costs remain fair and accessible to the public.
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