hospitalizations, PHIC and doctors fee

Canada
April 18, 2012 12:08am CST
My youngest baby was admitted in the hospital last thursday but we have already been discharged today. Last saturday, i have checked our hospital bill but "SHOCKS", we have been already bill a huge amount of money (it's huge for me). Anyways, i was already expecting it since we were in a private hospital. Yesterday, our doctor already advice us for discharged and we immediately process the necessary documents for my philhealth benifit. "SHOCKS" again, philhealth has implemented a new policy regarding the claiming of benifits at the hospital. I cannot claim my benifits because my doctor is not an accredited in PHIC (Philhealth) and i have to pay the full amount of my hospital bills. I was really frustrated that i tried to explain to the PHIC staff that I wasn't informed by the hospital staff regarding this new implementation of PHIC rules. I have to file my PHIC reimbursement to PHIC office and wait for 60days to claim my refund. DISGUSTING!!!! One more thing that DISGUST me is my doctor won't issue an OFFICIAL RECEIPT for my payment. GOSH, that's Php 4,800.00 that i gave as professional fee and no OR??? Hmm.... it makes me think that i should report this to BIR?? Is he won't give an Official Receipt to me, I believe he won't declare all his income to the government where i believe it's really unfair for those who are employed in a company where employees are deducted with WITHHOLDING TAX. What do you think?
4 responses
@jureathome (5361)
• Philippines
18 Apr 12
Most doctors or their assistants won't issue OR, unless you request for one. But, im sure you can go back to them and ask for it, because you need it for the reimbursement. Before going to BIR, perhaps, you should check that out with your doctor. If they will deny you of the document you need, then report to BIR. I believe they still pay taxes, but to a pre-calculated amount, and not all of their earnings are factored in.
• Canada
20 Apr 12
I have requested an OR from the hospital since when I checked the OR's that I received, only hospital bills are indicated but the professional fee was not. But when I ask for an official receipt for the professional fee, they said that they will only give Acknowledgement Receipt. But when I ask for it, the acknowledgement they were referring to is a very small paper - 3" x 2" would you accept this as an acknowledgement receipt?
• Philippines
20 Apr 12
Oh, that's really fishy. Professional fees should always reflect on the total hospital bill. Perhaps, the doctor is not affiliated with the hospital or something. Then, my friend, get a phone and dial BIR.
@Graceekwenx (3160)
• Philippines
18 Apr 12
Welcome to Mylot. For doctors, arent they expected to be all PHIC-accredited??? They too have benefits with PHIC right? Also... how are we supposed to know that the doctor is accredited or not??? Usually, when we rush to hospital, we just choose the doctor but them being accredited with PHIC is usually none of our concern. You just reminded me to inquire also with the doctors so that i wont have the same mishap as yours. Also.. OR??!!! Darn!! Cant he just issue a BIR-registered receipt as an alternative for his OR??? Thats against the law if he doenst provide one! That is sooooo absurd! Demand for an OR!
• Canada
20 Apr 12
I think not all doctors are accredited. What annoys me is the idea that the hospital did not inform me of the new philhealth policy. I could have changed doctor since he's not really my baby's doctor. He was just a replacement because my doctor was out of town.
• Philippines
18 Apr 12
well it looks tricky. why is the doctor not accredited in PHIC? i know all doctors do! plus there are no OR? it's not right not to issue official receipt. report it to BIR then so you would know why is this things happening. 4,800.00 is a big amount. it's no joke!
• Canada
20 Apr 12
yeah, 4,800.00 is really a big amount. I am having a second thought of reporting it to the BIR. I think i have to consult it to my friend doctor.
@asdomencil (4265)
• Philippines
18 Apr 12
Really? I am not aware about the accreditation of the doctors for Philhealth. What I know is that when go to a hospital that has been PHIC Accredited, all of the fees, including the doctor's fee. Thanks for this new information about Philhealth. With regards to your doctor's OR, they should give you a copy of it for your to be able to reimburse the amount you paid. If you have the guts to report to BIR, just do so. You are correct, it is really unfair for us, employed paying witholding taxes from our salary but there are some that don't declare their correct earnings.