Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL'No. 5054

Introduced by Representative Florencio Gabriel G. Noel

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article II Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution provides for the basis behind the fact
that health is a basic human right, viz:

“The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and
instill health consciousness among them.”

Healthcare services are generally known to be costly. In view of this common
misconception, people opt to do home medication without knowing that reasonable and
quality health care and service are present and available, thereby, effectively putting
themselves at risk instead of getting proper treatment.

Thus, it is necessary for patients to have access to a complete and reliable list of
hospital expenses, which shall include all incidental expenses for room and amenities, meals,
medicines, and use of medical equipment and technology. Being equipped with said basic
information, patients would be able to compare costs of available health services and freely
decide whether they will obtain the hospital services or buy the necessary medical supplies
that they need.

‘As such, being fully informed with the prices would also help the patients in
estimating their medical bill when admitted to a healthcare facility. Furthermore, it would
also protect patients against misleading and unfair sales acts and practices in the healthcare
facility

the passage of this bill, proper information dissemination on healthcare
services will be readily accessible to the people, which in turn, will enable them to have a
learned decision in seeking the proper health remedy

CS

FLORENCIO GABRIEL G. NOEL


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. __5054

Introduced by Representative Florencio Gabriel G. Noel

AN ACT

REQUIRING HEALTHCARE FACILITIES TO PROVIDE A PRICE LIST OF ITS
HEALTHCARE SERVICES INCLUDING INCIDENTAL EXPENSES AND MEDICAL
SUPPLIES THAT CAN BE CHARGED IN THE MEDICAL BILL

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Healthcare Services Price
Disclosure Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to protect and promote the
right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. The State shall
enforce a compulsory posting of the price list of healthcare services, including incidental
expenses and medical supplies that can be charged in the medical bill, to enable the public to
obtain accurate and adequate information that would facilitate and guide them in making
a conscious choice of healthcare facility

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the term:

(@) Diagnostic and laboratory clinic refer to a health facility for X-ray, CT scans,
blood chemistry exams, histopathology and immunopathology, hematology, urine
analysis, parasitology and bacteriology test, serology, blood banking and other
diagnostic examinations that are necessary for the diagnosis and/or treatment of an
illness or injury.

(b) Healthcare services refer to the services for the diagnosis, treatment and other forms
of healthcare of individuals suffering from deformity, disease, illness or injury, or in
need of surgical, obstetrical, medical or nursing care that are offered, available and
provided by the hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, diagnostic and laboratory
clinics and other medical clinics.

The term healthcare services shall also include dental services to perform oral


examination, cleaning, permanent and temporary filling, extractions and gum

treatments, restoration, replacement or repositioning of teeth, or alteration of the

alveolar or periodontium process of the maxilla and the mandible that are

necessary for the diagnosis and/or treatment of a dental illness or injury.

Healthcare facilities refer to hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, diagnostic and

laboratory clinics, medical clinics and/or facilities which provide healthcare

services, as defined under this Act, whether or not there is an operating room

equipment and installed bassinets or beds for the use of patients in the

management of deformities, diseases, injuries, abnormal physical and mental

conditions, and maternity cases.

Incidental expenses refer to other services provided by the healthcare facility

incidental and in connection with the healthcare services provided such as, but not

limited to, charges for room and amenities, meals, drugs and medicines, and

payments for use of medical equipment and technology.

Medical bill refers to the costs of healthcare services rendered by the healthcare

facility including incidental expenses and medical supplies charged to the patient.

(Medical equipment and technology refer to the equipment designed to aid in
providing healthcare services.

() Medical supplies refer to all healthcare materials and articles used for providing

healthcare services and can be charged in the medical bill

Patient refers to a person seeking admission or who is admitted and has availed of

healthcare services in a healthcare facility

(@) Room and amenities refer to an occupancy room or a ward room where a patient is
admitted for healthcare services, including a detailed list ofits amenities.

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SEC. 4. Price List of Healthcare Services and Incidental Expenses Including
Medical Supplies Offered and Charged by a Healthcare Facility. Healthcare facilities shall
make a price list of its healthcare services, incidental expenses and medical supplies that can
be charged in the medical bill available to any patient or patient’s representative, so that the
Patient or patient’s representative may adequately exercise the option to choose a healthcare
facility. The price list shall likewise be easily accessible to the general public and without
need of any further inquiry by posting the price list in a conspicuous place within the premises
of the healthcare facility.

All medical bills shall list and itemize all healthcare services, incidental expenses and
medical supplies availed or used by the patient with their corresponding prices charged to the
patient.

SEC. 5. Price List of Healthcare Services, Incidental Expenses and Medical Supplies
Binding on Healthcare Facility. The price list of healthcare services, incidental expenses and


medical supplies shall be binding on the healthcare facility upon the admission of the patient.
Any increase in the price of healthcare services, incidental expenses and medical supplies
shall take effect only after proper posting as required in this Act: Provided, That the increase
shall not affect patients admitted prior to posting of increase in price.

SEC. 6. Penalties. (a) Any person who shall violate the provisions of this Act or its
implementing rules and regulations shall be subject to a fine of not less than Five thousand
pesos (P5,000.00) but not more than Twenty-five thousand pesos (P25,000.00) per instance
of violation without prejudice to administrative sanctions such as suspension or cancellation
of license to practice profession for a period not exceeding sixty (60) days.

(b) Any juridical person which violates the provisions of this Act shall suffer the
penalty of a fine of not less than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) nor more than Fifty
thousand pesos (PS0,000,00) per instance of violation and suspension or revocation of license
to operate such healthcare facility for a period not exceeding sixty (60) days: Provided,
That its officers directly responsible for the violation shall suffer the penalty of a fine of not
less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) but not more than Twenty-five thousand pesos
(P25,000.00) per instance of violation and suspension or revocation of license to practice
profession for a period not exceeding sixty (60) days: Provided, further, that if the guilty party
is an alien, he shall be ipso facto deported after payment of fine without need of further
proceedings.

The Secretary of Health shall have the authority to impose the administrative fines and
sanctions provided herein including suspension or revocation of license to operate such
healthcare facility or recommend suspension of license to practice profession to the
Professional Regulation Commission as the case may be for the violation of this Act.

SEC. 7. Implementing Agency. The Department of Health (DOH) shall enforce the
provisions of this Act and its implementing rules and regulations.

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the DOH, in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local
Government, shall issue the rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of
this Act.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. If any part or provision of this Act shall be held
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions hereof that are not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. All other laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations


and administrative regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation