DOH eyes zero-balance billing in pay wards for direct PhilHealth contributors

The Department of Health plans to require all hospitals under the DOH to implement zero-balance billing for pay wards used by PhilHealth direct contributors.

PhilHealth direct contributors are those who regularly pay their contributions monthly.

DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa said the move will be implemented through a Department Memorandum Circular.

“Pwede nang iutos na maglagay at mag-allocate ng special area for direct contributors or yung ating mga working class or middle class na gustong magpa-accommodate sa zero balance billing sa ating mga hospital,” Herbosa said on Monday.  

(We can now direct hospitals to allocate special areas for direct contributors, or those in the working or middle class, who wish to avail themselves of zero balance billing in our hospitals.)

“So, ise-separate namin kayo para matingnan kung kayo ay mabigyan ng mas magandang accommodation,” he added.

(So, we will separate you to check if we can give you a better accommodation.)

Pay wards are separate from basic accommodations, which are already covered under the existing Zero Balance Billing policy.

The planned policy aims to ensure that government health benefits are accessible to middle-class earners. — BM, GMA Integrated News