Philippines rolls out zero-balance billing in government hospitals

Patients will no longer have to pay for basic accommodation services.

The Philippine government is implementing zero-balance billing at Department of Health (DOH) hospitals, according to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Patients will no longer have to pay for basic accommodation services as the bill has already been covered, Marcos said during his fourth State of the Nation Address.

The initiative is funded through the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients programme.

Meanwhile, additional support comes from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, and allocations to DOH hospitals.

This support is provided in addition to existing financial coverage from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.