Government paid P135 billion in zero balance billing

MANILA, Philippines — A total of P135 billion worth of hospital bills were covered by the government’s zero balance billing program, benefitting 2.1 million patients nationwide, according to the Department of Health.

The DOH said the patients were admitted and treated in hospitals run by the deparment from July 28, 2025 to March 31 this year.

“The zero balance billing (program) is a directive from the President and we are implementing this in the different DOH hospitals. We have 83 DOH hospitals nationwide,” Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said in a video posted on social media.

President Marcos, during his fourth State of the Nation Address last year, emphasized that basic accommodation of patients at DOH hospitals should be shouldered by the government.

According to Herbosa, under the zero balance billing program, no payment is required for medical services and complicated medical procedure as well as for doctor’s professional fee and medicines the patient is given.

The program is aimed at fulfilling part of the goals of the Universal Health Care Act, which mandates that all Filipinos are automatically enrolled in the national health insurance program and ensuring equitable access to quality and affordable healthcare services.