Zero Balance Billing Now in All DOH Hospitals
Filipino patients admitted to any Department of Health (DOH) hospital will benefit from zero balance billing, a new policy ensuring no out-of-pocket expenses for basic accommodation and treatment. This initiative covers all 87 DOH-run hospitals nationwide, providing free healthcare services to those who need it most.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced this landmark policy during his fourth State of the Nation Address. He emphasized, “This means that for basic accommodation services in our DOH hospitals, patients will no longer have to pay because your bill has already been settled.” The President added, “Let me repeat: Patients no longer need to pay anything in DOH hospitals because your bill is already covered.”
What Zero Balance Billing Covers and Exclusions
The zero balance billing policy applies strictly to basic or ward accommodations in DOH hospitals. Patients choosing private or deluxe rooms will not be eligible for this benefit and will have to shoulder the additional costs themselves.
Additionally, the program does not cover medicines or drugs prescribed after discharge. This ensures that the government’s resources are focused on inpatient care costs, relieving the financial burden during hospital stays.
Streamlining Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients
To further assist financially challenged patients, the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program will now be integrated into the eGov app. This digital platform will streamline the entire application process, making it faster, transparent, and accessible when patients need it most.
Moreover, patients and their families no longer need to secure guarantee letters to avail of MAIFIP. The hospital will immediately settle the bills, reducing delays and making hospital stays less stressful. “Everything will be settled right inside the hospital. The patient or his family members do not need to go anywhere just to settle their hospital bill,” President Marcos said.
Funding and Background of the Program
The zero balance billing initiative is backed by pooled funds from various government agencies, including the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR), and the DOH’s MAIFIP program. For 2025, DOH has allocated P41.16 billion to support MAIFIP, which was created in 2014 to ease medical expenses for indigent and financially incapacitated patients outside PhilHealth coverage.
Since 2011, PhilHealth has also implemented its own zero or “no balance billing” (NBB) policy. This covers indigent members, sponsored individuals, domestic workers, senior citizens, and lifetime members. NBB applies to all accredited government hospitals and some private hospitals that voluntarily adopt the policy. However, similar to the DOH’s zero balance billing, it excludes medicines needed after confinement.
With these programs, the government continues to prioritize affordable healthcare, ensuring that Filipinos can access essential medical services without the burden of hospital bills.
For more news and updates on healthcare policies, visit Filipinokami.com.
