Strengthening Patient Billing Transparency Through Itemized Hospital Charges

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE Lopen effice of thie rog REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 26 MAR 17 P2:19 SENATE RECEIVED BY: Senate Bill No. 1987 Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo AN ACT STRENGTHENING PATIENT BILLING TRANSPARENCY BY REQUIRING A UNIFORM AND ITEMIZED STATEMENT OF HOSPITAL CHARGES AMENDING SECTION 18 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11223, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE ACT," AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Filipinos continue to bear the burden of unclear and inconsistent hospital billing due to the lack of complete and standardized statements of hospital charges from health care providers. In addition, concerns have been raised regarding the alleged non-coverage or lack of transparency of hospital charges, including professional fees, in the implementation of Republic Act No. 11223 or the Universal Health Care Act. The absence of a uniform and itemized billing system not only makes it difficult for patients to understand the costs of their medical care, but also limits the ability of PhilHealth to effectively analyze health care providers' charging patterns and make appropriate adjustments under the Universal Health Care Act. Without standardized billing data, it becomes difficult to determine whether professional fees and other charges are properly aligned with the benefit amounts being covered by PhilHealth.

While PhilHealth has initiated reforms to strengthen billing transparency, legislative support remains necessary to institutionalize a uniform and itemized billing statement of hospital charges, including professional fees. This measure seeks to promote transparency in medical billing, and protect patients from unexpected medical costs. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Senatr TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE " offer of tie up REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 26 MAR 17 P2:19 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY. Senate Bill No. 1987 Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo AN ACT STRENGTHENING PATIENT BILLING TRANSPARENCY BY REQUIRING A UNIFORM AND ITEMIZED STATEMENT OF HOSPITAL CHARGES AMENDING SECTION 18 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11223, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE ACT," AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 18 of Republic Act No. 11223 is hereby

2 amended by inserting a new section to read as follows: "SECTION 18-A. UNIFORM AND ITEMIZED STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT - ALL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS SHALL ISSUE TO PATIENTS AND/OR ITS REPRESENTATIVE/S A STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT, WHETHER PARTIAL OR FINAL, THAT CLEARLY ITEMIZES ALL CHARGES INCURRED DURING TREATMENT. SUCH STATEMENT SHALL INCLUDE, AMONG OTHERS, HOSPITAL OR FACILITY CHARGES, MEDICINES AND SUPPLIES, LABORATORY AND DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES, AND THE PROFESSIONAL FEES OF EACH ATTENDING

HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL, INDICATING THE NAME, SPECIALTY, AND SERVICE RENDERED. THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH), IN COORDINATION WITH. PHILHEALTH, SHALL PRESCRIBE THE STANDARDIZED FORMAT TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN BILLING."

SEC. 2. Separability Clause. - Should any provision or part of

this Act be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions 12 and parts hereof, insofar as they are separable from the invalid ones, shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders,

proclamations, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 4. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days

after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,