The Zero-Balance Billing (ZBB) program for the poor has already benefited some 298,221 patients, the Department of Health (DOH) said Saturday.
The DOH said it translates to PHP26.4 billion in combined billing of patients admitted for basic accommodation in DOH hospitals.
“This is a milestone and umiikot kami ni President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., nakikita nya ‘yung mga pasyenteng tuwang tuwa na pina-uuwi at nakaka-uwing walang binabayaran (This is a milestone. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and I are going around hospitals and he sees the patients who are happy to be sent home without paying for anything),” DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said in a radio interview.
“Sabi nga ng Pangulo, palapit nang palapit na tayo sa inaasam nating (As the President said, we are getting closer and closer to reaching our goal of) universal health coverage,” he added.
Under the ZBB, patients in DOH hospitals no longer have to pay for medical services, medicines, and the professional fee of doctors.
The DOH also reported that the daily average admissions in DOH hospitals increased from 3,297 to 4,067 since the policy was announced.
“Itinuloy na po natin ang zero balance billing. Libre po (We have continued the zero balance billing. It’s free),” President Marcos said in his fourth State of the Nation Address on July 28.
The medical assistance is funded by the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and allocation to DOH hospitals. The ZBB is in addition to the financial support from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.
“Tuloy tuloy naman ang DOH sa implementasyon ng Zero Balance Billing at inihahanda na ang pondo nito para sa 2026 (The DOH will continue implementing the Zero Balance Billing and is preparing funds for it in 2026),” it said.
The DOH said its proposed PHP320 billion for 2026 will focus on further expanding the Universal Health Care (UHC).
Of the amount, at least PHP260.2 billion is allotted for the ABB, deployment of health care workers and professionals, and other programs under UHC. (PNA)