Marcos Urges Hospitals To Adopt ‘No Co-Payment Policy’
Under the no co-payment policy, eligible Philippine Health Insurance Corporation members admitted to basic or ward accommodations in private hospitals do not have to pay additional charges for medical services covered by the state insurer.
President Marcos urged more private hospitals on Tuesday, Aug. 25, to adopt the “no co-payment policy” for eligible Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) members admitted to basic or ward accommodations.
Marcos made the call after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of agreement between PhilHealth and St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City in Taguig to strengthen the implementation of the no co-payment policy to support the government’s universal health care agenda.
“By joining this effort, St. Luke’s also sends an important message: that quality care in leading private hospitals can be made more accessible to qualified PhilHealth members, and that both government and the private sector have a role in making Universal Health Care work,” Marcos said in his speech.
“Hindi na matatakot ang mga nagkakasakit na pumunta sa private hospital dahil wala silang pambayad (People with ailments should no longer be afraid to go to a private hospital due to lack of funds to pay for treatment),” Marcos noted.
Under the no co-payment policy, eligible PhilHealth members admitted to basic or ward accommodations in private hospitals do not have to pay additional charges for medical services covered by PhilHealth.
The policy was initially limited to indigent patients but was expanded under Republic Act No. 11223, or the Universal Health Care Act, covering all Filipinos regardless of their financial or employment status.
The initiative complements the administration’s Zero Balance Billing program, which provides free hospital services to ward patients and is currently being implemented in 79 Department of Health hospitals and four government-owned or -controlled hospitals.
PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Beverly Lorraine Ho said St. Luke’s initially allocated 53 beds for eligible patients requiring specialized treatment, 50 of which are already occupied.
PhilHealth spokesperson Alfred Philip De Dios, meanwhile, said the agreement covers all PhilHealth benefit packages and is not limited to specific treatments.
Marcos called on more private hospitals to provide affordable healthcare to Filipinos.
“We encourage more hospitals across the country to support PhilHealth in advancing universal health care by embracing the no co-payment policy. Together, let us ensure that no Filipino is denied the care that they need only because of financial hardship,” the President said.
Aside from St. Luke’s Global City, three other private hospitals have expressed support for the policy, including Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Asian Hospital and Medical Center, and The Medical City Ortigas.
