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RECEIVED
pare 07 JUL 2005
10:06 AM

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 1365

(TRODUCED BY REP. JOSE “BONG” J. TEVES, JR.

AN ACT
MANDATING THE INCLUSION OF THE PROFESSIONAL OR DOCTOR’S FEES
IN ONE HOSPITAL BILL AND IN THE COVERAGE OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
TO INDIGENT AND FINANCIALLY INCAPACITATED PATIENTS PROGRAM OF
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Despite the implementation of Republic Act No. 11223 or the “Universal Health Care
Act” and the “No Balance Billing Policy” of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation
(PhilHcalth), many indigent and financially incapacitated Filipinos still carry the burden of

paying excessive hospital bills notwithstanding the payment of professional or doctor’s fees.

In order to help bridge the gap towards accessible health care, the Department of Health
(DOH) has implemented the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated
Patients (MAIFIP) Program in order to provide additional aid to our fellow Filipinos.
Currently, under DOH Administrative Order No. 2024-0006, the MAIFIP program shall only
cover the following:
1. Drugs and medicines as approved by the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA);

. Laboratory, imaging, radiological, and other diagnostic procedures

Pp

including assessmenUreaders fees;

3. Blood and other related blood screening/products;


4. Clinically indicated medical-surgical cases, obstetrics-gynecological cases
considered as high-risk, dental cases requiring implants, medical devices
and supplies, and other relevant procedures;

5. Prescribed post-hospitalization, rehabilitation services, aftercare program,
and appropriate mental and psychosocial support;

6. All hospital bills/charges; and
PROFESSIONAL FEES, PROVIDED THAT THE EXPENSES FOR
THE PROFESSIONAL FEES SHALL NOT EXCEED 50% OF THE
APPROVED AMOUNT OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE.

Under item seven (7) of the said section, only up to fifty percent (50%) of the approved
amount of medical assistance is allowed to cover for the professional or doctor’s fee. In addition
to the said limitation, many of our health care professionals or doctors refuse to accept

guarantee letters of the MAIFIP as form of payment for professional or doctor’s fee.

To address the issue and to further accommodate our less fortunate patients, this
‘measure secks to mandate the inclusion of professional or doctor’s fee, without any limitations
on the approved amount, in the coverage of the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially
Incapacitated Patients program of the Department of Health in order to help attain the “Zero
Billing” or “No Balance Billing” goal of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is eamestly sought.

HON. JOS (G" J. TEVES, JR.
Representative, TGP Party-List


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1365

House Bill No.

INTRODUCED BY REP. JOSE “BONG” J. TEVES, JR.

AN ACT
MANDATING THE INCLUSION OF THE PROFESSIONAL OR DOCTOR’S FEES.
IN ONE HOSPITAL BILL AND IN THE COVERAGE OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
TO INDIGENT AND FINANCIALLY INCAPACITATED PATIENTS PROGRAM OF
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This law shall be known as the “One Hospital Bill Act”.

SEC, 2. Declaration of Policy. — Under Section 15, Article II of the 1987
Constitution, the State shall protect and advance the right to health of the people by ensuring
access to medical services without the burden of paying professional and doctor's fees.
Pursuant thereto, indigent and financially incapacitated patients shall be allowed to utilize the
full amount of the approved Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated
Patients (MAIFIP) of the Department of Health for the payment of professional or doctor's

fees.

SEC. 3. Coverage. — All health care professionals that bill or charge professional or
doctor’s fees in public and private hospitals, clinic, health care institutions accredited by the

Department of Health.


All indigent and financially incapacitated patients identified by the Department of
Health or Department of Social Welfare and Development are likewise covered by the

provisions of this Act.

SEC. 4, Mandatory Act. — All medical professionals or doctors in private and public
hospitals, clinics, health care institutions accredited by the Department of Health that charge
professional or doctor’s fees shall accept guarantee letters issued by the Department of Health
under the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients Program as
form of payment or compensation. ‘The professional or doctor’s fees shall be incorporated in
the final hospital bill. It shall be declared illegal and a violation to issue a separate bill for
professional or doctor’s fee or other fees not included in the final hospital bill.

Further, all government agencies and institutions providing financial assistance to
indigent and financially incapacitated patients for hospital expenses shall include the coverage
for the professional or doctor’s fees, which shall be incorporated in the final hospital bill

SEC. 5. Penal Clause — Any public and private hospital, clinic, health care institution,
doctor, physician, and other health care professional who will refuse guarantee letter as mode
of payment for professional or doctor's fee shall be fined: First Offense - One Hundred
Thousand Pesos (Php 100,000.00); Second Offense - Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php
200,000.00); and Third Offense ~ Cancellation of Professional License or License to Operate.

SEC. 6. Role of the Department of Health — The Department of Health and its

agencies are mandated to receive and act on complaints arising from violations of this Act.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations — All implementing rules and
regulations necessary to enforce this Act must be issued and shall take effect not later than

ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause — If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of this Act or any of the provisions hereof not

affected thereby shall continue to be in force and effect.


SEC. 9. Repealing Clause — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent or contrary to any of the provisions

of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its

complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,