Marcos to DOH: Ensure zero-balance billing is implemented
Published Aug 18, 2025 04:16 pm
President Marcos has directed the Department of Health (DOH) to ensure that the zero-balance billing policy is being implemented in all DOH hospitals in the country.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Marcos also reminded Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa that DOH hospitals must know how to implement the policy.
Citing that he has received reports that there are long lines in hospitals and not everyone knows exactly what needs to be done, Marcos told DOH to guarantee that patients do not have to deal with extra documents and payments when they are discharged.
"[W]e just have to make sure na lahat ng ospital sa buong Pilipinas alam nila ang procedure kasi bago ito, e. But I think kaya naman nila because maliwanag na maliwanag naman kung ano yung PhilHealth, ano yung sa DOH, at sinong qualified. Lahat naman halos qualified (We just have to make sure that all hospitals in the Philippines know what the procedure is because this is new. But I think, they can do it because it is very clear what is under PhilHealth, DOH, and who are qualified. But almost all are qualified)," Marcos said during his visit at the Eastern Visayas Medical Center in Tacloban City, Leyte on Monday, Aug. 18.
"Walang dagdag na bayad, walang dokumento, walang kailangang gawin. Pipirma na lang, puwede na lang nilang iuwi ang kanilang pasyente (No more additional payment, no more documents, they have nothing else to do. They just have to sign, and they can already bring their patient home)," Marcos stressed.
The President told Herbosa to make sure that the policy is being followed in all DOH hospitals nationwide and make sure that they know what to do in order to avoid long lines in hospitals, causing further stress to patients.
"So, let’s see – let’s make sure… Ito nga ang aking ano kay Secretary Ted Herbosa, make sure – and Dr. Jaro – na make sure na hindi lamang dito alam ang gagawin. Ito kabisado na nila ang procedure na lahat ng mga ospital natin ng DOH make sure alam nila yung gagawin nila para hindi naman masyado mahirapan ang ating mga pasyente (So, let’s see – let’s make sure… This is really my reminder to Secretary Ted Herbosa, and to Dr. Jaro as well – to make sure that not only here do they know what to do. They should have the procedure fully mastered, and all our DOH hospitals must know what they need to do so that our patients will not have too much difficulty)," Marcos said.
Meanwhile, Marcos advised those who do not need to be admitted in hospitals to seek assistance from Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service (BUCAS) centers.
"Pagka hindi kailangan magpa-confine, tinuturuan natin ang ating mga kababayan, pumunta muna sa BUCAS Center. Baka naman kung ano yung reklamo nila baka maayos naman sa BUCAS Center (If confinement is not necessary, we guide our fellow citizens to first go to the BUCAS Center. Perhaps their concern can be addressed there)," he said.
"Pero kung hindi kaya ng BUCAS Center, papupuntahin naman sila sa ospital at aalagaan din sila, and again, zero billing ang paglabas (But if the BUCAS Center cannot handle it, then they will be referred to the hospital where they will also be taken care of—and again, upon discharge, there will be zero billing," he added.
During his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos declared that patients admitted in DOH hospitals will no longer have to pay for their bills.