At least 36 administrative complaints have been filed against Bacolod City’s Dr. Pablo O. Torre Memorial Hospital and three eye doctors in relation to cataract procedures.

The physicians in question include Drs. Fortunato Eusebio, Jr., Eusebio Jose Eusebio, and Ma. Cristina Eusebio of the Cataract Foundation, which was previously accused by Task Force Kasanag (TFK) of “recruiting” cataract patients in Bacolod City.

In response to a complaint earlier sent by TFK National Commander John Chiong to the Office of the President, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) president and CEO, Dr. Celestina Ma. Jude De La Serna, said they are currently waiting for true copies of documents before filing another 18 complaints against the hospital and the said physicians.

Last month, the foundation was accused of hiring social workers, reportedly paid between P500 and P1,000 per patient, to “ferry” PhilHealth members to undergo cataract surgery.

The scheme was intended to have cataract surgeries conducted in order for claims to be made through the government healthcare provider. Patients were said to have been screened for surgery at the said hospital, where they were then referred to clinics operated by the said physicians.

Chiong pointed out, all expenses were charged to PhilHealth, with the patients being charged extra in most cases.

The PhilHealth chief noted, the scheme may have contributed to the government healthcare provider paying out the high amounts for cataract procedures.

However, she noted, currently, cataract operations are not among the top procedures funded by Philhealth.

Last year, a congressional hearing of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability revealed some hospital physicians allegedly collected excessive amounts in PhilHealth claims for unnecessary procedures, with the Our Lady of Mercy Hospital in Bacolod City named as one of the involved hospitals.

According to a PTV report, doctors at the said hospital allegedly recommended patients undergo cataract surgery even if it was not necessary./DGB, WDJ