Taguig-based doctor charges P300 to P350 for consultation amid country's rates that can reach over P800

"So where do minimum wage earners go when they need a doctor but can’t afford hospitals or can’t wait hours in line at the health center?" Guadilla asked.

That's why he opened his clinic, "not for competition or profit, but to offer a REACHABLE option for our neighbors."

His post met mixed reactions on TikTok, with some lauding Guadilla, as he could help more in need, while others said he needed to raise his fees.

As an addendum, Guadilla noted that his consultation fee rate was "not meant to devalue" the medical profession but rather, something he believes is "fair and appropriate" for the community he's in, where most residents are minimum wage earners.

He even took note of other doctors with lower rates, like P250, even P100.

'Not just a number'

In an interview with PhilSTAR L!fe, Guadilla said his consultation fee "is not just a number" but is something "deeply rooted" in his personal journey and commitment to accessible healthcare.

He noted growing up in Tuba in Benguet, where agriculture is central and medical help is difficult.

"We had to travel 30 to 45 minutes just to see a doctor," he said. "Even then, my parents would choose doctors they felt were fairly priced, not necessarily the most expensive. They believed in value, not just cost."

"That shaped how I see healthcare today," he pointed out.

Upon moving into BGC, Guadilla said he felt the challenges he had experienced firsthand in Benguet.

"Even health centers are scarce due to the ongoing land disputes between Makati and Taguig," he said, referring to Fort Bonifacio barangays, including the Enlisted Men's Barrios or "EMBO" ones.

(In 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that they're under the jurisdiction of Taguig and not Makati. Makati appealed the ruling, but the Court of Appeals dismissed it last June.)

Guadilla said that upon starting his private practice last March, he promised himself not to impose prices that are "out of reach."

"For me, P350 felt like a very fair balance, enough to keep the clinic running smoothly, but still very much within reach for most mid to low-income earners," he said.

He noted that his clinic isn't a "full-on" one. It's only for consultation purposes, and he doesn't sell products or offer other procedures. What matters is his goal to "offer approachable healthcare to the residents and beyond."

In fact, he even initially considered a much lower rate, though ultimately settled with his rate upon seeking the advice of his trusted colleagues and loved ones.

"The pricing wasn't just a random choice," he added.

'A different story'

Guadilla, who's also a general practitioner for less than a year, said he does part-time work as a company physician and a hemodialysis physician.

He also offers teleconsultations through his clinic, as well as through a platform that caters to patients and travelers. Moreover, he joins medical missions like Hospital-On-Wheels and the Philippine Red Cross.

With that, he's able to share the varying consultation fees in the market.

In public hospitals, Guadilla noted that patients may not need to pay for anything, especially if they're enrolled in PhilHealth or if they have a health card from their local government.

Their only likely setback is that they have to be in queues for long, he said, because hospitals are often understaffed and doctors are usually overloaded.

In private settings, however, Guadilla said it's a "different story."

General practitioners in clinics or private hospitals typically charge between P300 and P800 per consultation.

Specialists, meanwhile, charge between P800 and P2,500. It's also subject to change depending on the location and reputation, Guadilla noted.

As for telemedicine, he said it can be as low as P200, especially if it only involves follow-ups or minor concerns. It also comes with a free medical certificate sometimes. Guadilla said he charges P300 for that and doesn't simply give out medical certificates "since they're often subject to abuse."

Quality service amid cheap rates

Guadilla assured his patients that he delivers quality service amid his cheap rates.

He also took note of his discounted P300 rate for students, PWDs, and seniors. As a doctor, Guadilla's worst fear is having patients who tend to delay seeking professional help despite not feeling well already, as they're busy canvassing the most affordable clinics.

"Having been a student myself for many years, I know what it’s like to put your health last because of limited means. For me, health should never be the last priority, no matter your situation," he said. "That said, I want to make it clear that even with my affordable rate, I never compromise on the standard of care. I don’t rush patients, I explain thoroughly, I double-check, and I do my best to treat each case with the attention it deserves."

"My practice may be small, but the quality of care is never budgeted. Price is never the focus, my patients' well-being is," he added.

Guadilla also reinforced the idea of delivering a high level of care as he does mostly everything, from cleaning to patient record keeping—and even feeding stray cats boarding in the clinic.

His loved ones, meanwhile, help him in messaging, appointing, and following up with patients. He noted that he has no secretary or assistant in his "small, simple setup."

"Hindi porket mura ay minadali or basta na lang. I may charge less, but I give the same diligence and respect every patient deserves," he said.

In fact, he noted knowing many doctors, whether general practitioners or specialists, who charge less than usual because of their "genuine desire to help."

Vague wording

In the country, there is no fixed rate for professional fees like consultation. In the Philippine Medical Association's Revised Code of Ethics for the Medical Profession, which was ratified in May 2019 during the organization's general assembly, the wording is vague and does not explicitly mention how much must be charged.

Article III Section 3(4) states, "The physican shall ensure that professional fees are reasonable and commensurate to the services rendered, nature of the case, time consumed, risk involved, professional standing of the physician, and the financial status of the patient."

Article VII Section 7(2), meanwhile, states, "A physician shall provide courtesy to colleagues and waive his professional fee when providing essential and evidence-based medical care to colleagues, spouse, minor and disabled children, and parents. This includes waiving the professional fees in package deals."

In Article 7(5), doctors are reminded that their professional compensation "should be reasonable and shall be guided by the patient's capacity to pay, the standard fees in the community and such other factors as the physician's expertise, the difficulty of the case, and the patient's co-morbid conditions."

"Physicians shall not give nor receive any referral fees, rebates, engage in fee-splitting, charge exorbitant fees, and must not engage in ghost practice of the profession," it also states.

For Guadilla, it might be beneficial if the PMA and even government bodies could provide suggested fee ranges or general guidelines.

"These wouldn't be strict rules designed to restrict doctors, but rather helpful benchmarks," he said. "They could standardize expectations, reduce confusion for patients, and ease the initial uncertainty for practitioners in setting their rates."

Nevertheless, he called the provisions in the PMA's code a "solid guide" because they remind doctors to prioritize genuine service over profiteering.

"[I]t shows that compassion has always been part of our profession’s values," he said.

'Incredibly hard and expensive'

Amid his advocacy of more accessible healthcare, Guadilla reiterated that he doesn't devalue the profession.

He noted that becoming a doctor is "incredibly hard and expensive" after dealing with years of sacrifice, sleepless nights, tuition, and emotional toll to get where they are now.

"Every doctor absolutely has the right to set rates that genuinely reflect their extensive training, hard-earned expertise, and the profound investment they've made in their profession," he said.

Guadilla said specialists, who "dedicated even more, more years to advanced training, incurred higher costs, and routinely manage highly complex cases," also need understanding toward their higher rates.

"They’re well-deserved. It reflects the depth of their expertise and the level of care they provide," he said.

But for Guadilla, it just so happened that he's addressing a different kind of need, which has a "clear, pressing gap in healthcare access."

"I specifically chose to serve an underserved community," he said. "I simply stepped in to fill it the best way I knew how."

"For me, it's never been about intentionally lowering rates to attract patients or out-compete anyone. Every doctor's journey and practice story is unique, and mine just happens to be deeply rooted in the value of accessibility," he added.

On the grand scheme of things, Guadilla is hoping for a better healthcare system in the country because it is what will make everybody win.

He is looking forward to the full implementation of the Universal Health Care law and the strengthening of primary care to reach even the farthest of communities.

He also called for better support for healthcare workers in terms of pay, benefits, and job security, so much so that nobody will be forced to leave the country.

Additionally, Guadilla hopes for better health education among Filipinos and less red tape in medical institutions, such as through digitization.

"I say all this knowing that I’m still early in my journey as a doctor. I don’t claim to have all the answers, and I’m in no position to propose a perfect solution," he said. "But these are the things I see and experience on the ground as someone who listens to patients every day and tries to make things work with what little I have."