City Health Officer Rowena Galpo explained the protocols in isolating Covid-19 patients.
She said Covid-19 positive patients may choose either facility or home isolation but for the latter, the residence will be inspected if it is suitable.
If not suitable, then they can choose between isolation facility and hospital.
If availing of isolation facility, they will be informed of the basic necessities they need to bring before checking in. Then the Emergency Medical Service will come to pick up the patients and will proceed to the Baguio General Hospital for laboratory exam and to the isolation facility.
The city currently has two temporary treatment and monitoring facility community isolation units – the Baguio City Community isolation Unit at Sto. Niño Jesus Medical Center and Teachers’ Camp Isolation Unit.
For both facilities, the stay is free of charge with provision for the basic needs including three meals, two snacks, basic medicines and antibiotics, bed linen, Wi-Fi, and water heater.
Patients may provide for their other needs like additional food and water, and blankets at their own expense.
In hospitals, the expenses are shouldered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation but patients may co-pay depending on the seriousness of their infection.
The more serious the symptoms are, the more medical interventions are need and the higher the cost of medical expenses becomes, Galpo said.
“May classification din ang Philhealth ‘pag pumasok na sa hospital. Depende pa if private, iba na naman usapan. And depende uli kung ano classification mo but for BGH, ang isolation nila is standard. Kung Covid, meron silang isolation pero walang suite, walang VIP. The same ang Covid area nila na mag-isa mo at meron din corresponding reimbursement ng Philhealth depende sa condition,” she said.
“Philhealth pays the city fixed amount pero naibabawas ang laboratory. Binabayaran ang BGH na doon muna sila mag-lab kasi hindi kumpleto ang CHSO laboratory. Nire-reimburse natin ang BGH for that or other hospitals. Ang babayaran lang sa private is the laboratory, ‘yung iba sa atin na.” – Aileen P. Refuerzo
