No-charge policy acknowledged in Eversley
Eversley Child Sanitarium and General Hospital in Mandaue City, Philippines, is offering free medical care for thousands of patients through the Zero Balance Billing (ZBB) program. This initiative is part of a nationwide Department of Health (DOH) effort to make public healthcare more accessible, especially for indigent Filipinos[1][2][5].
Eversley Hospital has been practicing ZBB for several years and is one of 87 DOH-managed hospitals nationwide recognized for implementing the policy[1][2][5]. The hospital's commitment to free healthcare services predates the recent national emphasis, which was underscored by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA)[1][4].
Under the ZBB program, patients admitted under basic or ward accommodations at Eversley do not spend any money out of pocket[3]. The policy covers all services, including surgical operations, as long as the patient does not hire private doctors or private consultants[4].
The ZBB program at Eversley is fully integrated into government medical assistance programs via national budget funding, ensuring automatic service delivery without political intermediaries[4][5]. The policy applies primarily to hospitals directly managed by the DOH, with some government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) hospitals following suit gradually under separate but related schemes[1][4][5].
The ZBB program at Eversley has its roots in the No Balance Billing (NBB) mandate introduced in 2011 and institutionalized under Republic Act 10606, or the National Health Insurance Act of 2013, during the presidency of Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III[6]. The ZBB program ensures that eligible Philhealth members, especially indigents, are not charged beyond what is covered by their insurance[6].
Eversley's wards are air-conditioned, providing comfort to patients without additional costs. The hospital, located in Barangay Jagobiao, primarily serves patients from Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, and the northern towns of Cebu[7].
The ZBB program is supported by various government medical assistance initiatives, including the Malasakit Program, which has been fully integrated into the ZBB framework[8]. The ZBB initiative at Eversley is part of their commitment to help indigent Filipinos gain access to quality healthcare without financial worries.
Dr. Pythagoras Zerna is the hospital chief at Eversley. The hospital covers the costs of specialized diagnostic procedures or surgeries if the patient remains admitted under its care, even if they are performed at other facilities[3].
References:
- DOH website: ZBB Policy
- GMA News: Marcos Jr. orders free public hospital services
- Rappler: Zero Balance Billing at Eversley Hospital
- Philippine Star: Marcos orders free public hospital services
- Inquirer: ZBB Program Nationwide
- PhilHealth website: NBB and ZBB
- SunStar: Eversley Hospital Profile
- DOH website: Malasakit Program
- The government's Malasakit Program, integrated into the Zero Balance Billing (ZBB) framework, supports Eversley Hospital's commitment to providing quality health and wellness services to indigent Filipinos, without financial burden.
- Eversley Hospital, located in Cebu's Barangay Jagobiao, partners with numerous medical-conditions facilities to cover the costs of specialized procedures or surgeries for their patients, as part of their health-and-wellness services under the ZBB program.
- As one of 87 hospitals recognized by the Department of Health (DOH) for implementing the Zero Balance Billing policy, Eversley Hospital in Mandaue City has been offering free medical care, including surgical operations, through the funding allocated in the national budget, under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
