Bardos, S. G. (2017). Innovative strategies for out-of-pocket expenditures reduction at the Davao del Norte hospital Igacos Zone, Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte (Unpublished master's thesis). Graduate School of Public and Development Management, Development Academy of the Philippines.

Graduate School of Public and Development Management. Health Systems and Development. Batch 7 Thesis (MPM-HSD)--Development Academy of the Philippines.

Out-of-pocket expenditures (OOPE) fro healthcare in the No Balance Billing (NBB) patients are persistent and pervasive phenomenon in the third world countries like Philippines. The said OOPE is evident on the health equity particularly the effect in the poorest sector of the society. Not only on the patient that may have OOPE, but for the employees that may encounter financial impact shall be made. With this hindsight, the researcher presents the results of an analysis of the impact and innovative strategies to address the impoverishing catastrophe of the OOPE in the Davao del Norte Hospital IGACOS Zone. Utilizing a sample from the patients' official receipts, this paper presents a rational analysis of the effect of OOPE in the NBB patients as well as the employees using focus group discussion through continuous quality improvement approach. Due to weak inventory process of drugs, medicines and supplies, in January to December 2015, there were 196 out of 3, 149 of 6.48% of PHIC NBB patients have OOPE amounting to P 186,213.10. With the enhanced inventory process and availability of essential drugs, medicines and supplies as well as implementation of the innovative strategies, in 2016, 52 out of 2,917 or 1.7% amounting to P 25,095.00 (.50%) as compared to the 196 out of 3,149 or (6.48%) in 2015, a decrease of 4.78% and 5.98%, respectively. With the current economic constraints, political instability and the ongoing health sector reform OOPE for healthcare financing and utilization as well as the lack of financial protection against the risk of these conditions should be of major concern to policy-makers. In particular, the problems of OOPE, which have been ecplicity place a higher burden on the poorest of the poor, should be taken into consideration during healthcare reform in the Philippines.