The Department of Health (DOH) is studying the possible expansion of zero-balance billing to include semi-private room accommodation, as the policy is currently limited to patients admitted in basic or ward lodging.
“Ngayon, kapag nagpa-admit sa private or semi-private [rooms], di ka na kasali sa zero-balance [billing],” Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said in a chance interview on Friday, December 17.
“Iniisip namin baguhin ito lalo sa mga nagtatrabaho, ‘yong mga direct members na nagko-contribute [sa PhilHealth], kasi ‘yong mga indirect, ‘yon yong mahihirap o indigent, talaga namang dun lang sila magpapa-admit sa ward,” he added.
Herbosa said the proposal may be feasible following the increase in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) budget for 2026.
The bicameral conference committee raised PhilHealth’s funding to ₱129.7 billion, which includes a ₱16 billion realignment from the DPWH and the return of around ₱60 billion from the national treasury, as ordered by the Supreme Court.
The review comes as the DOH prepares to expand zero-balance billing to local government unit-run hospitals next year. At present, the policy only applies to 87 DOH-operated hospitals.
Earlier, the DOH proposed a special provision in the 2026 budget for the Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP), allocating 80 percent of its funding to support zero-balance billing in LGU-run Level 3 hospitals.
Herbosa said they are awaiting the final percentage, noting that three versions were presented during bicameral deliberations.