Zero-Balance Billing Program Transforms Batac Hospital Care
In Batac City, Ilocos Norte, the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMH&MC) has successfully implemented a zero-balance billing program for select patients over the past six years. This zero-balance billing initiative has made a significant difference in healthcare access, especially for indigent patients and those requiring specialized treatments.
Dr. Maria Lourdes Otayza, the medical center chief, shared that the Department of Health (DOH) instructed all government hospitals to adopt this program about six years ago. “The important thing was, we started to implement when (we) were ordered to,” she said during National Hospital Week celebrations. While some hospitals struggle to comply, MMMH&MC has steadily maintained the program, primarily for patients confined to wards or basic accommodations.
Expanding Access to Cancer and Dialysis Patients
Over time, the zero-balance billing program has extended its benefits beyond indigent patients. It now also supports cancer patients and individuals undergoing dialysis. Dr. Otayza noted, “We have become a magnet for cancer treatment and dialysis because the patients know we give it free.”
The hospital’s reputation for providing free cancer care has attracted many seeking treatment. With the Universal Health Care program in place, MMMH&MC plans to broaden its reach by establishing urgent care centers across Ilocos Norte. This expansion aims to reduce patient congestion at the main hospital.
Patient Stories Reflect Program’s Impact
Mylene Aguilar, a breast cancer patient from Barangay 3 in Laoag City, expressed deep gratitude for the program. Diagnosed in 2023, she said, “This is a big help for us, and it continues to inspire us to keep going.”
Aguilar benefits from the hospital’s cancer package, which covers outpatient and inpatient services. These include diagnostics, therapeutic procedures, medicines, and overall management of cancer care. To access these benefits, patients must register under the DOH’s Cancer Assistance Fund. “The treatment and medicines are all free except if the medicine is not available at the hospital pharmacy,” she added.
MMMH&MC: A Key Cancer Treatment Site
MMMH&MC is among 31 designated cancer treatment centers by the DOH. It provides free screening and consultations to promote early cancer detection, improving patients’ chances of successful treatment. Local officials noted that the zero-balance billing program not only eases financial burdens but also encourages more Filipinos to seek timely medical care.
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