MANILA, Philippines — The Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PHAPI) has attributed recent increases in hospital charges—ranging from 5% to 15%—to rising inflation and operational costs.
PHAPI President Dr. Jose Rene de Grano said in a radio interview that the adjustments began last year, driven by higher costs of supplies, medicines, and staff salaries. “It started last year at about 5%, and in 2025, with continuing price hikes in hospital operations, some facilities added another 5%,” he said.
De Grano emphasized that the rate increases affect services such as room accommodations and laboratory tests. He explained that the cost of lab materials and equipment has surged, prompting hospitals to adjust pricing accordingly.
Despite the hikes, he pointed out that enhanced PhilHealth coverage has made the impact less severe for patients. “For instance, if your bill used to be ₱50,000 and PhilHealth covered ₱20,000, now with bills rising to ₱70,000, PhilHealth covers ₱30,000 to ₱35,000,” De Grano noted.
He also stressed the importance of improved services, urging member hospitals to justify the rate increases with better patient care.