SURIGAO CITY — A father from Butuan City walked out of a hospital with his son, carrying no bill and no debt. Joey Chris S. Cortejos had been anxious about the PHP60,000 hospital bill after his son was admitted due to a motorcycle accident. But thanks to PhilHealth's No Balance Billing (NBB) program, he did not have to pay a single centavo. "I want to thank the government, especially the city government of Butuan and BMC, because I did not have to pay even a single centavo for the hospital bill of my son," Cortejos said.
How the NBB Program Works
The No Balance Billing policy ensures that qualified patients in government hospitals face zero out-of-pocket expenses. The program covers hospital room and board, professional fees, laboratory exams, and medicines available at the hospital pharmacy. It is available to indigent, sponsored, kasambahay (domestic workers), senior citizens, and lifetime members . As one PhilHealth representative explained, "Through PhilHealth Circular No. 2017-006, stakeholders are requested to ensure the implementation of No Balance Billing, strengthening the universal health care agenda".
Protecting Families from Catastrophic Health Spending
For families like the Cortejos, the NBB program provides a critical safety net. Cortejos shared, "With No Balance Billing, there is no need for me to borrow money because my son can go home without paying for the medical services and expenses, including medicines and doctor's fees". The program is available in hospitals run by the Department of Health and local government units, as well as in private facilities that meet certain requirements. Health care institutions are also instructed to give NBB patients preferential access to social welfare funds or other financing sources, such as the PCSO, to augment the benefit package when needed.
