Marcos Jr. signs zero-balance billing for patients in DOH hospitals

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. announced during his fourth State of the Nation Address that Filipino patients admitted to any of the 87 Department of Health (DOH) hospitals nationwide will no longer need to pay for their medical bills through the "zero-balance billing" policy.

This policy covers basic accommodation services, meaning the government will settle these expenses.

Patients who opt for private rooms, however, will not be entitled to the zero-balance billing privilege.

DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa clarified that the zero-billing policy is applicable to everyone admitted to basic accommodation in DOH hospitals.

The DOH started implementing the program last May 18, and it is supported by funds from medical assistance programs of various government agencies.

The President also mentioned that PhilHealth has expanded its benefits to cover free services for various heart conditions, weekly dialysis sessions, and medicines for a year, including eyesight check-ups and treatment for children, and rehabilitation and therapy sessions for persons with disabilities (PWDs).

For cancer patients not covered by PhilHealth, the government has allocated P1.7 billion for the Cancer Assistance Fund to purchase necessary medications.

Additionally, the processing of the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program will be integrated into the eGov app for a more unified, faster, transparent, and accessible process.