By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The local chapter of an anti-corruption and crime group in Bacolod City has called on Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial and Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez to investigate an alleged health insurance fraud.
In a letter dated April 6 this year sent to Ubial and Alvarez, John Chiong, national deputy commander of the Task Force Crusaders (TFC) said his group received complaints from medical practitioners claiming the fraud committed “involves the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), some hospitals, some members of the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) some of whom are joining this so-called Cataract Foundation, and many social and health workers of the government.”
“Despite PhilHealth’s sanctions imposed many years ago against some hospitals, massive and widespread recruitment of cataract patients with PhilHealth by a group called Cataract Foundation, enjoining government health workers particularly in Negros Occidental, goes on,” the letter said.
It added, “The patients are reportedly taken to private hospitals in groups, although one particular private hospital is the most preferred where cataract patients are operated by three doctors of the same surname. They charge their services and professional fees to PhilHealth. The foundation is also getting something, although supposedly gives free cataract surgery but it charges fees against PhilHealth.”
“Government social and health workers are sued, given money to solicit patients for the foundation, which the foundation in turn brings to preferred private hospital and services are charged against PhilHealth,” the letter said.
Chiong claimed the “practice has been going on and even PhilHealth does not lift a hand despite the pattern, causing losses in millions of pesos to the government and depriving others who also need medical and surgical assistance from the government.”
He also said he has in his possession documents to prove which he will present if an investigation is conducted including a 2,000 findings of the Southeast Asia Centre for Resource Studies and Training.
Chiong said he will follow-up the complaint personally when he goes to Manila next week./WDJ