PhilHealth is the universal healthcare system of the country. It provides Filipinos with funding for any healthcare concerns like emergency room expenses, life-threatening illnesses, and even injuries. And since all private and public sector employees are required to register with PhilHealth, here’s a quick Philhealth 101 for you!

Here’s How

Employers can register through Philippine Business Registry (PBR) which is the regulatory board you will need to go through when setting up a new business. If you go through PBR, you won’t need to submit any requirements to PhilHealth itself.

However, in the case of failing to register through the PBR, here are the requirements you will need:

• Single Proprietorships - Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Registration

• Partnerships and Corporations - Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Registration

• Backyard industries/ventures and micro-business enterprises - Barangay Cert or Mayor’s Permit

In order to register employees, you will need:

• Employer Data Record (E1) Form (in duplicate)

• PhilHealth Membership Registration Form (PMRF) for each employee (in duplicate)

After processing, the employer will be issued the following:

• PhilHealth Employer Number (PEN) and the Certificate of Registration

• PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN) and Member Data Record (MDR) of registered employees

How much should I be contributing?

Here’s the latest payment scheme for PhilHealth:

Image from philhealth.gov.ph

When and How Can I Pay?

Lucky for us, almost everything is online now. Including paying for PhilHealth premiums.

Step 1: Compute how much you would need to pay (based on the table above)

Step 2: Remit the employee’s contribution together with the employer’s share.

Payment Schedule

Step 3: Pay using the Electronic Premium Remittance System (EPRS) or through the other EPay options through partner banks!

What if I’m a Freelancer?

You can actually register online as a voluntary member once you have an existing PhilHealth number. This means you are opting to pay for your premiums. Your contributions will depend on your projected salary that you declare. Just simply visit the PhilHealth Electronic Registration System or if you don’t want to do it online, your nearest PhilHealth office. 

Here are the requirements if you don’t want to do it online:

1. Fill out two copies of the PhilHealth Membership Record Form with your complete details. The MRF can be downloaded from the official site of PhilHealth.

2. Bring the filled-out MRF documents to the nearest Local Health Insurance Office (LHI) along with the following supporting documents:

• Two copies 1X1 of your recent ID picture

• Two valid IDs from any of the following:

• Valid passport

• NSO-issued birth certificate

• Voter’s registration

• Social Security System ID

• PAG-IBIG or HDMF transaction card

• LTO driver’s license

• Taxpayer identification card (TIN)

• Philippine Regulation Commission ID card (PRC)

• Local postal ID

• Alien Certificate of Registration (for foreigners)

• Prepare two photocopies of your supporting documents for submission. Bring the original documents for verification purposes.

3. Wait for your PhilHealth Member Data Record (MDR) and official PhilHealth card from the authorized officer. You can get both documents on the same day.

4. Secure a PhilHealth payment form and pay the necessary contributions either quarterly or annual options. Succeeding payments can be done in major banks and accredited payment centers.

To claim the benefits of PhilHealth, you have to be sure you settled at least 9 months of premium contributions, including 3 months of qualifying contributions within the last 12 months before being confined. Any claims should be made within 45 days. Be sure to consistently update your member data to save time especially during emergencies.

Don’t miss out on this great benefit and be sure to sign up for yourself and your employees!