DOH eyes zero-balance billing for select LGU hospitals by 2026

The Department of Health (DOH) plans to extend its zero-balance billing program to select local government unit (LGU) hospitals by 2026.

The Senate has allocated P1 billion for the expansion of this program, which aims to eliminate patient payments for services, medications, and professional fees.

DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa stated that this funding will be used to support LGU hospitals, specifically Level 3 LGU-owned hospitals.

If the P1 billion allocation is finalized, it could cover the Level 3 hospitals of approximately 6 to 8 provinces.

Conditions for LGU hospitals include having 70% of their Rural Health Units accredited under PhilHealth's Yaman sa Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) and 50% of their population to have had first patient encounters for YAKAP.

Funding for each LGU shall be adjusted per capita and in consideration of available facilities and municipal class, subject to DOH guidelines.

The release of funds to LGU hospitals shall be through level three DOH hospitals within the region.