A zero-balance billing policy at Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center allows patients to receive treatment without paying upfront, with the hospital covering the costs.
Dr. Miguelito “Mike” Jayoma, chief of the hospital, distinguished the policy from no-balance billing, in which patients pay a co-pay after PhilHealth deductions.
PhilHealth typically covers 30% to 50% of a bill depending on the case rate, with the patient responsible for the remainder, he said.
Under zero-balance billing, patients are discharged without paying anything to the hospital.
The policy applies only to patients admitted to wards in Department of Health (DOH) hospitals who do not use private consultants, Jayoma said. Using private doctors may result in out-of-pocket costs.
The hospital has served 16,986 patients under the policy, according to hospital data.
Jayoma said the hospital plans to form a club for former patients who have benefited from zero-balance billing at DOH hospitals nationwide, including some in Bohol.
The goal, he said, is for members to testify about their experiences and how the policy helped them meet their health care needs.
Projected spending for the program is expected to reach as much as P1.05 billion pesos, Jayoma said.
The hospital is encouraging resident doctors to train to provide more affordable care as an alternative to private consultants, who often charge fees, Jayoma said.
He added that his administration is continually seeking ways to help patients with bills when zero-balance billing is insufficient.
The hospital recently received millions in funds through the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients program via the Malasakit initiative, which helps cover patient expenses.
Jayoma cited the case of a patient whose P1.25 million peso hospital bill was fully covered under the policy, with no out-of-pocket cost.
All patients, regardless of socioeconomic status, are eligible for zero-balance billing, he said.
The policy does not consider a patient’s ability to pay.
Guarantee letters are no longer accepted, Jayoma said, and the MAIFIP program has been expanded to cover more health care providers.
The hospital received P800 million pesos in PhilHealth reimbursements, which were redirected to assist more patients at the DOH facility.
Jayoma, who discussed the policy on the Newsmakers radio program with Ardy Araneta-Batoy of DYTR, said his administration is committed to greater compassion in health care, citing the need to address abrasive or unkind behavior by some hospital staff.
The implementation of zero-balance billing has led to the hospital operating at full capacity, increasing staff workloads.
While a remarkable number of employees have been trained in patient relations, the hospital continues to face a high attrition rate and staff burnout.
Jayoma said his administration is working to reduce employee stress and has implemented a wellness program to support hospital workers.