President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, announced the full rollout of zero-balance billing in all Department of Health (DOH) hospitals.
“We have now implemented zero balance billing,” he announced in Filipino.
“Everything will be settled at the hospital; there’s no need to go anywhere else or ask anyone for help,” the President added.
Under the policy, patients admitted to public hospitals will no longer have to pay out-of-pocket for basic accommodation and services.
The initiative is backed by government funds and various support programs, including PhilHealth, the Medical Assistance for Indigents (MAI), the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
Marcos said the government is working to eliminate the financial burdens that patients typically face when seeking treatment in public hospitals.
He noted that many patients are forced to purchase their own medical supplies and personally seek financial aid to settle their hospital bills.
“Let me repeat: patients no longer have to pay anything as long as they are in a DOH hospital because their bill is already covered,” he assured.
The Department of Health will lead the monitoring of compliance and implementation across its network of hospitals.
The zero-balance billing policy covers only basic services and accommodation, meaning upgrades or private room requests may still incur costs.
