Business · Philippines Bureau
Palace orders DOH to speed up medical assistance claims for poor patients
Malacañang has directed the Department of Health to accelerate processing of legitimate claims under its Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients program. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto has instructed regional DOH officials and partner hospitals to verify and promptly settle valid claims.
LSN Philippines ·
The Palace has moved to streamline bureaucratic delays affecting the government's flagship medical assistance initiative for underprivileged Filipinos. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto issued the directive to DOH regional directors and participating healthcare facilities, requiring them to verify accounts payable and process valid MAIFIP claims without unnecessary delay.
The Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients program provides financial support to poor and low-income patients unable to afford hospital care. The accelerated processing order aims to ensure beneficiaries receive timely reimbursements and reduce the administrative burden on healthcare providers participating in the scheme.
The Palace action signals concern over processing bottlenecks that may have prevented eligible patients and hospitals from accessing program benefits. The directive underscores the administration's commitment to improving delivery of social health services and removing obstacles to government assistance reaching intended recipients.
Details on specific timelines for claim verification and processing remain to be communicated by the Department of Health to its regional offices and partner institutions.