CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Hospitalization Assistance and Medicines Program (CHAMP) has advised all the beneficiaries to go directly to hospitals that will accept their Letter of Authority (LOA).
As reported by the city’s Public Information Office (PIO), CHAMP head Jojo Lingaolingao reminded the patients so that they will not be compelled to spend their own money.
Lingaolingao said that there are some hospitals that do not accept LOA from CHAMP forcing patients to pay their bills out of their pockets, and only get a refund from CHAMP after some time.
“Naa may usahay mangayo og tabang walay kwarta, nya naa gidala anang ospital nga dili out right ang deduction sa LOA. Maluoy pud ta, nya kinahanglan kaayo, so dili kagawas,” said Lingaolingao.
On Wednesday, July 20, 2022, the CHAMP distributed the refunds to at least 75 beneficiaries who experienced such situation.
Lingaolingao clarified that when going to receive treatment at hospitals that accept CHAMP's LOA, patients will not have to pay aside from the professional fee of the doctors, which is not covered by their office.
Among the CHAMP-accredited hospitals are Chong Hua Hospital, St. Vincent General Hospital, Ace Medical Center-Cebu, and Sacred Heart Hospital.
If a beneficiary does not have the adequate amount of money and the treatment is urgent, they should go directly to CHAMP-partner hospitals.
Lingaolingao, however, said that if there are instances that they cannot be accommodated due to scarcity of rooms and other specific reasons and the patient will have to be brought at a hospital in another city, the beneficiary must keep the receipt and must be registered in Cebu City for reimbursement. — FPL (FREEMAN)