The Department of Health (DOH) is coordinating with local governments and private hospitals as it expects government hospitals to reach full capacity with the nationwide implementation of the Zero Balance Billing system, also known as the “Bayad na Bill Mo” program.
DOH spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said yesterday the department intends to tap health facilities of local governments and private hospitals to manage the anticipated surge of patients seeking treatment under the program.
Domingo said the department is preparing agreements with private facilities to handle overflow cases as demand for free hospitalization increases.
“But to be clear, you cannot choose a private hospital. The DOH assigns where you will be admitted,” he concluded.
“By law, all Filipinos are PhilHealth members. If you don’t have a record, you will be registered for free right at the hospital,” he said.
The program guarantees that patients admitted under basic accommodation in DOH hospitals will not pay for hospitalization, professional fees, medicines, or surgical procedures.
“There is no ceiling or cap. Even beyond PhilHealth’s package rates, the government shoulders the cost,” he said.
