The Zero Balance Billing policy has been implemented in 87 Department of Health (DOH)-run hospitals nationwide, following the directive announced by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. during his 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA).
In an interview with Dos Por Dos on Wednesday, DOH Spokesperson Albert Domingo assured the public that the government meticulously prepared for the implementation of zero-balance billing.
"Maingat pong pinaghandaang ito. Katakot-takot po ng mga numero ang aming tinignan para siguradung mangyayari, hindi drawing lamang," Domingo said.
Domingo shared the DOH conducted an extensive review of hospitals data and cost structures to ensure the program's viability and sustainability.
He also ensured that patients recieve medical services without any out-of-pocket expenses for basic accommodations, professional fees, medicines and procedures.
Moreover, Domingo said that program will prioritize the 87 DOH hospitals and government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCC)-operated facilities later.
The four GOCC namely the Philippine Heart Center, Philippine Lung Center, National Kidney Transplant Institute, and the Philippine Children’s Medical Center.
Domingo revealed that the policy was soft-launched in May 2025 and is now immediately effective.
"Actually, Mayo pa lang po, sinasoft launch na namin. So talagang pinatesting. Sabi ng Malacanang, siguraduhin yung bago i-lunch ito, umaandar 'to," he said.
Moreover, the DOH has made significant improvements, that even DOH hospitals now having air-conditioned wards.
"Sa 87 hospitals ng DOH, nasa 40 na po ang air-conditioned yung mga ward," he said.
"Doon sa DOH hospitals, dito kami nagulat, nung rumonda kami last week dahil dun sa bagyo, napadaan kami sa East Avenue. Yung paanak, yung mga nagre-recover na mga nanay, airconditioned," Domingo added.
The public can find the list of DOH hospitals covered by the program is posted on the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) page.
These listings specify the hospitals, including their respective provinces and regions.
Domingo shared that DOH hospitals serve around 1.3 million patients per year, with an average cost of ₱30,000 per patient.
“Lumabas dun, kailangan ng 15% na increase dun sa budget for next year. Which is equivalent to? Ang exact number hindi ko masabi, pero nasa mga 20 something billion pesos na dagdag," he said.
The additional requirement is expected to be funded through increases in each hospital’s Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE).
Although Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and specialty hospitals such as the Philippine Heart Center and Lung Center of the Philippines are not officially part of the program, Domingo said they also have the capacity to implement zero balance billing using retained income and internal funds.
In addition, Domingo clarified that patients who choose private rooms, require services not available within the hospital, or undergo high-cost procedures may still incur costs — although PhilHealth packages or the DOH’s catastrophic fund may help cover these.
"So nung pinairal din sa amin yung technical, tinignan namin, may mga mahal kang procedure tulad ng atake sa puso, kailangan nga nung angioplasty na sinasabi. Okay, yun, medyo mahal yun, hindi siya kasama, pero meron kasing PhilHealth na heart attack package. Sasaluhin naman siya ng PhilHealth," he noted.
Domingo also urged patients to report any hospitals still charging under zero balance billing.
