Zero-balance billing to apply to barangay health workers

The Department of Health (DOH) plans to expand the zero balance billing program to include semi-private rooms in government accredited hospitals for the benefit of barangay health workers.

DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa said they plan to admit barangay health workers in semi-private wards of its hospitals for free. This would convey DOH’s gratitude “for their dedication in delivering health programs to the communities.”

“Pinag-aaralan pa namin kung kakayanin namin na zero balance billing ang barangay health worker pero hindi sa basic accommodation, [kundi] sa private ward. Kasi tumutulong kayo sa akin eh,” Herbosa said.

“Bigyan ko kayo ng a little privilege kung libre at ma-admit namin kayo sa semi-private na accommodation,” he added.

The zero-balance billing may be availed at the basic wards of 87 DOH-run hospitals across the country.

The DOH earlier proposed a special provision to its Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients program, allocating 80% of its budget to the zero-balance billing implemented in local hospitals.

It also introduced including in the program hospitals run by local government units.