Question & AnswerQ&A (PHILHEALTH CIRCULAR NO. 33, S. 2005)
The Corporation is mandated to ensure that quality health care services are provided to all members and dependents of the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP).
It specifically addresses all accredited secondary hospitals, also referred to as primary care hospitals, requiring them to have surgical capabilities.
A secondary hospital must have a qualified surgeon whose services are readily available at all times to perform major surgical procedures, and who has undergone a 4-year residency training program.
In areas where there are no available surgeons as determined and verified by the PhilHealth Regional Offices and/or Accreditation Department, a physician with at least 6 months of certified training in surgery may be allowed, but only for limited surgical procedures as determined by the Philippine College of Surgeons.
The surgeon should be readily available at all times for major surgeries; however, if the surgeon has limited training (such as the physician with 6 months training), they may not necessarily be physically present at all times, especially when there is no patient scheduled for surgery.
An anesthesiologist must be available at all times to provide anesthesia to patients undergoing surgery. The qualified anesthesiologist should have undergone any hospital training program and may not necessarily be physically present when there is no patient scheduled for surgery.
They must have a documented plan of action for instances when the required physicians are not on hospital premises but a surgical procedure is necessary.
The hospital will be downgraded from secondary to primary category due to deficiency.
It took effect 15 days after its publication in the official gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
The Circular was signed by Lorna O. Fajardo, CESO III, Officer-in-Charge, Office of the President and CEO.