THE Department of Health (DOH) yesterday said it will deny coverage in the zero balance billing program to all road crash victims found not to have been using safety gears or been drunk.
In a press conference for Road Safety, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said: “Today, I am announcing that if you are admitted because you are not wearing a helmet, you’re not wearing a seatbelt, or were drinking alcohol, you are disqualified from the zero balance billing.”
He said the move is the Department’s way of holding accountable road crash victims who didn’t use safety gear or violated the law while driving.
“If we don’t act, we will end up with a population that is either dying on the road or permanently disabled,” said Herbosa.
During his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the full implementation of the zero balance billing program in all DOH hospitals nationwide.
Under the zero balance billing program, the DOH shall cover the hospital bills, professional fees, laboratory tests, operating room services, and medicines, provided that the patients stay in the basic ward of the facility.
According to Herbosa, road crash injuries or deaths can be prevented if only adequate safety measures are adopted by motorists.
“Studies have reinforced an undeniable truth: that road crashes are preventable,” said Herbosa.
Data from the DOH-Online National Electronic Injury Surveillance Data show that there were 5,083 road traffic injuries recorded in July 2025 alone.
Of the total, 3,382 involved motorcycles, with 3,197 motorcycle drivers found not wearing helmets.
The DOH said 38 road crash victims died during the same period.
