Register Online and Be A PhilHealth Member

You may now register online using PhilHealth's Online Services - Electronic Registration System located at this link. Online registration was introduced in the release of PhilHealth Circular No. 05 s-2012.

Requirements (Things you need to prepare)

Scanned copy of your supporting documents (jpeg/jpg, bmp, png, gif or pdf). Size for each file should not be greater than 2MB.
- for employed members, you would need the scanned ER2 with signature from your employer.
- you and your dependents' birth certificates
- marriage contract for married individuals

You may also choose to mail the necessary supporting documents, however, your application can only be processed once they are received.

Process:

1. Click on this link-> Register Online to directly take you to PhilHealth's registration facility.
2. Click the Proceed button.
3. Click the "I agree to the conditions stated above and will comply to submit the required information and supporting documents to complete the registration." 
4. Click the Accept button.
5. Enter all the required information denoted by the asterisk (*) sign. Guardian information is required for principal members whose age is less than 18 yrs old. For employers registering their employees, you can specify the email address of the employees. You can simply ask the employees to forward the email of Philhealth for their issued PhilHealth number. If you used only one email address, employees would need to update their email addresses directly with PhilHealth for future correspondences. Tip: Use your current personal email address and encode your name as appearing in your birth certificate.
6. Click the Submit Registration button. An email will be sent to the email address you specified during registration.
7. PhilHealth will be processing the online applications and when the finished, an email indicating the PhilHealth number assigned to you will be sent.

You can claim your PhilHealth ID in any PhilHealth office near you. For individually paying members, upon receipt of your issued PhilHealth number, you can immediately start paying your monthly premium contributions.

PhilHealth launches new electronic innovations

Health Secretary Dr. Enrique Ona, PhilHealth President Dr. Eduardo Banzon, and PhilHealth CIO Dr. Alvin Marcelo at e-Innovations launch.

PhilHealth has recently updated the way it delivers services to its clients via its website. These include:

• A new, refreshed look for it's corporate website;
• An online mapping service (allows clients to view the location of all PhilHealth branches and accredited health care providers);
• Electronic registration;
• A new Health Insurance Card;
• An online method of determining member eligibility.

We will be providing more information about these improvements as we learn about them. For further details, you may read PhilHealth's news release here.

Issuance of PhilHealth ID Cards and MDR to Employed Members

An official advisory has been released by PhilHealth informing the public that transactions for members belonging to the Private and Government Sectors should be facilitated by their respective Human Resource Departments (HRD).

Employees that are not yet registered with PhilHealth and those without PhilHealth Identification Numbers (PIN) should submit a fully accomplished PhilHealth Membership Registration Form (PMRF) with attached supporting documents:

• Clear copy of employee's birth certificate/baptismal certificate or one (1) valid ID;
• Clear copy of legal supporting documents of declared dependent/s such as birth certificate, marriage certificate and others as necessary.

Submit all the requirement to the HRD of the company you are in. They will in turn submit the documents together with the ER2 (Employer-Employee List) to PhilHealth. PhilHealth in turn will process your documents and forward your PhilHealth ID Card (PIC) and Member Data Record (MDR) to your office's HRD for distribution.

New employees whether newly employed or transferred who are existing PhilHealth members would just need to inform their current employer of their PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN) for the preparation of the Monthly Employer's Remittance Report (RF-1).

Source: PhilHealth Advisory No. 08-01-2011

Register Your Company with PhilHealth

Whether you own a new company or you're a new employer with household help, be sure to register with PhilHealth as an employer so that you could provide your employees with social health insurance coverage as administered by PhilHealth.

Below is your guide on how to register the company to PhilHealth.

Basic Documentary Requirements for private employers:

• Single Proprietorships:
• Business permit and/or license to operate;
• Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Registration.
• Partnerships and Corporations:
• Business permit and/or license to operate;
• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Registration.
• Foundation and Non-profit organizations:
• Business permit and/or license to operate;
• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Registration.
• Cooperatives:
• Business permit and/or license to operate;
• Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Registration.
• Backyard industries/ventures and micro-business enterprises:
• Business permit and/or license to operate;
• Barangay Certification and/or Mayor's Permit.

What to do?

• Fill-out the Employer Data Record (ER-1) Form in two (2) copies. You may download the form here;
• Attach the documentary requirements in the ER-1 form and submit to any PhilHealth Offices near you;
• When PhilHealth has finished processing your application, you will receive your PhilHealth Employer Number (PEN) and a copy of the Employer Data Record as well as the Certificate of Registration;
• Post your Certificate of Registration in your office as proof that you have been registration.

Preparing for PhilHealth Sabado 2 set on June 25, 2011

The Nationwide PhilHealth Registration Day (NPRD) or what is commonly known as "PhilHealth Sabado, Magseguro, Magparehistro" is a nationwide activity conducted by PhilHealth to fast-track the registration/enrollment under the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP). This is a continuing advocacy program which aims to provide an easier method for non-members of the NHIP to register and pay the one quarter premium contribution by putting up various registration sites aside from PhilHealth Offices that may be open to new registrants or existing members that will be updating their membership record.

With the success of the PhilHealth Sabado conducted last October 2, 2010, PhilHealth shall be conducting the same activity this coming June 25, 2011. If you are planning to join the event, we suggest you to:

1. Accomplish or fill-out the PhilHealth Membership Registration Form (PMRF) for new registrants and those updating their membership record. The PMRF can be downloaded here. Make sure that you entered your current and complete address including the name of your barangay;
2. Prepare the necessary supporting documents that you would need to attach to the PMRF such as birth certificates of you and your dependents, marriage certificate (if married), adoption papers of your parent/child (if applicable), annulment/separation papers (if applicable) and others. You may click here to know who you can declare as dependents;
3. Prepare the premium amount equivalent to a quarter payment for new registrants. You will only be given a PhilHealth ID Card once payment of at least a quarter is made. If you do not pay the premium, you will only be provided a copy of your PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN);
   
4. For requests on printing of PhilHealth ID Card / Member Data Record (MDR) please prepare the documentary requirements. For PhilHealth ID Card requests requirements are discussed in this post. For MDR requests, you might be asked to bring with you a request letter, photocopy of two (2) valid ID Cards;
5. Bring any valid ID Card to be presented during registration/updating.

Depending on the number of registrants and the connectivity of the registration site, there may be cases when your registration forms and attachments will only be received and your Member Data Record (MDR), Open Category Slips or PhilHealth ID Card will be mailed to the address you have provided after the backroom processing of your registration form. This will usually be done by PhilHealth to manage the number of transactions and to maintian a speedy process. Hence, you may take note of the date when the registration form is received and contact the Call Center to follow-up on your registration.

Can registration, PIN inquiry, viewing of contributions be done online?

Unfortunately, the answer at this time is no.

Online services are still not available for the following PhilHealth Services:

• Member registration or amendment/updating of member profile;
• Employer registration (currently in development through the DTI-PBR facility);
• Inquiry of contributions or premium payment;
• Inquiry on status of claim or benefit availment;
• Checking of existing PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN) (The previous mobile service is no longer available).

Online Services or Facilities that are available are:

• Electronic Premium Reporting System (EPRS) that facilitates the preparation and submission of the Monthly Employer Remittance Report (RF-1/RF1) online;
• PhilHealth-DepEd Textfile Uploading Facility that facilitates registration of DepEd employees and submission of the RF-1/RF1;
• eGroup System used by the organized groups such as the MFIs, Cooperatives and others participating in the KaSAPI Program which facilitates enrollment of their members and payment of their members' premiums.

We will be posting updates if the available online facilities change.

National PhilHealth Registration

Is PhilHealth coverage mandatory for all Filipinos?

Yes. Put another way, PhilHealth membership is compulsory.

SEC. 6. Coverage. - All citizens of the Philippines shall be covered by the National Health Insurance Program. In accordance with the principles of universality and compulsory coverage enunciated in Section 2 (b) and 2 (1) hereof, implementation of the Program shall, furthermore, be gradual and phased in over a period of not more than fifteen (15) years: Provided, That the Program shall not be made compulsory in certain provinces and cities until the Corporation shall be able to ensure that members in such localities shall have reasonable access to adequate and acceptable health care services. (underlining supplied)

Reference: Art. III, Sec. 6, R.A. 7875 

SECTION 4. Objective – It is the main objective of the NHIP to provide all Filipinos with the mechanism to gain financial access to quality health care services within the first 15 years of its implementation. Coverage of the employed members in the government and private sectors, individually-paying, retirees, and indigent families shall be ensured. (underlining supplied)

Reference: Title III, Rule 1, Sec. 4, IRR of R.A. 7875

Please note though, that membership and eligibility to avail of benefits are two different things. You may be a member, but if you are not paying your PhilHealth contributions with the required frequency, you are not eligible to avail of your PhilHealth benefits.

This applies to everyone who is employed, regardless if it is with the government or the private sector, or Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

Individually Paying Members (IPMs) may or may not choose to register or pay premiums under the IPM program. If they choose not to, they are not eligible for PhilHealth benefits. It is strongly recommended that those qualified as IPMs register and pay their contributions.

Lifetime members need not pay as they are already retired and have already made at least 120 monthly contributions.

The contributions for those belonging to sponsored program are paid for by government or private entities.

For further information on who can enroll or register as a PhilHealth member, read this post.

Who can Enroll or Register as a PhilHealth Member?

This post aims to discuss the different types of membership programs of the National Health Insurance Program. PhilHealth members are divided into five (5) main categories broken down as follows:

• Employed;
• Individually Paying Members (IPM);
• Sponsored Members;
• Lifetime Members;
• Overseas Filipino Workers.

The Employed category are basically those individuals that are employed either in a private or government institution and are therefore further classified into Private/Government. Individuals under this category are enrolled in PhilHealth through the employers in compliance with the law.

Individuals that are classified under the Individually Paying Member (IPM) are those that are directly paying their premium contributions to PhilHealth and belong to either of the cases below. Participation under this scheme is voluntary.

• Professional individuals are those whose professions are included in this list;
• Non-professional individuals which include individual farmers and fisherfolk;
• Individuals who are separated from work;
• Parents not qualified as legal dependents, sponsored members or lifetime members;
• Children not qualified as legal dependents;
• Unemployed individuals not qualified as a sponsored member;
• Citizens of the Philippines residing in other countries;
• Citizens of other countries (foreigners) residing/or working in the Philippines.

Sponsored members are those who are being paid for by local government units, government agencies or private institutions which fall under the implementation of the government subsidy program. Members under this category are usually covered on a yearly basis. Availment of PhilHealth benefits depends on the effectivity or coverage period as reflected in their membership.

Lifetime members generally covers retirees/pensioners who have reached the retiring age as defined by law and have met the required 120 monthly PhilHealth premium contributions. Individuals under this classification no longer need to be paying members in order for them or their dependents to avail of PhilHealth benefits.

Overseas Filipino Workers (Land-based) were previously under the IPM category. Due to the differences in the needs of the members under this category and the efforts with which these were addressed, PhilHealth decided to separate the monitoring and evaluation of those individuals who are working out of the country, hence a separate category was created. OFWs are required to enroll and pay a one-year premium contribution prior to leaving the country and to continue being an active member, OFWs would need to pay continuously to the program after the expiry of the one-year coverage.

Reference: Title III-Section 5 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the National Health Insurance Act of 1995

How to Update Your Membership Record with PhilHealth

In our previous post, we discussed about the instances on when to update our membership record with PhilHealth and its importance. Here we will discuss the procedure and required documents to update your membership record.

Steps in updating your member record:

1. Fill-out the PhilHealth Membership Registration Form (PMRF);
2. Submit the PMRF with attached supporting documents to any PhilHealth Office near you;
3. Validate that the changes requested have been correctly reflected in your newly released Member Data Record (MDR);
4. For correction/change in your name, ensure that you are issued a new PhilHealth ID Card (PIC) reflecting the corrected/updated name.

Accomplishing the PMRF:

• Accurately write your PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN) in the form;
• Put a check mark in the "For Updating" under the PURPOSE;
• Write your name and date of birth. This will be used by PhilHealth to verify the member record retrieved using the PIN. If purpose is for correction of your name, write your correct name;
• Write the necessary information that you would need to update or correct, there is no need to provide all the information in the form. If you are going to update your address, just write in the address portion, to register new dependents, just write your dependent's information and so on;
• Affix your signature and write the date the form was accomplished.

Documents that are normally being required:

• ID card/s issued by a government official authority;
• Birth Certificate for correction on member's/dependent's name or date of birth and/or for declaring of new dependents;
• Marriage Certificate or Contract / Affidavit of Marriage issued by Office of Muslim Affairs to update your civil status, change your last name (for females) and/or to declare your spouse as a dependent.

Other documentary requirements can be found in the second page of the PMRF.

Cases for Amending or Updating Your PhilHealth Records

As PhilHealth Members, it is your responsibility to ensure that your information recorded in PhilHealth's database is up-to-date and accurate. If you want to know how to go about updating your information then read on.

When should you update your information?

• Correction in member profile
If you are issued a Member Data Record (MDR), immediately validate the accuracy of the reflected information. If you find that there is a discrepancy in your name, date of birth or any other information, you should amend or update your record immediately;


• Correction in dependent's profile
This can also be checked in the MDR. Check whether the name and date of birth of your declared dependents have been accurately recorded by PhilHealth as this might become a problem in availment of benefits;


• Change in address
If you relocated to another residence or address, immediately amend your PhilHealth record. It is important for PhilHealth to have your current address as notices/letters are being mailed based on your location registered in PhilHealth;


• Change in civil or marital status
PhilHealth will require a copy of your marriage certificate, or Affidavit of Marriage issued by the Office of the Muslim Affairs, or annulment papers in order to effect the change in your last name. You should also request for a new PhilHealth ID Card and MDR.
Males should likewise update their membership record to reflect the change in civil status and to include their spouse as a dependent;


• Change in membership category
For separated employees wishing to continue their coverage with PhilHealth, they should amend their record to be under the Individually Paying Member category (refer to this post for distinction between Professional and Non-Professional). The premium amount that you will be required to pay would depend on your membership category, so it is important for you to update it;


• Adding new dependents
If you wish to include your parents, spouse or child/ren under your PhilHealth coverage, they should be registered with PhilHealth as your dependents. For guidance on the declaration of dependents you may refer to this post. Siblings however cannot be declared as a dependent.

There are instances when you will no longer be required to go to PhilHealth in order to update your PhilHealth MDR. Among them are:

• If your member profile reflected in Claim Form 1 (CF1) is different from your membership record, PhilHealth will use the information contained in the CF1 to update your membership record. (Pursuant to PhilHealth Circular No. 08 s-2007);

• For the employed sector, if you are reported as a newly hired employee, then your membership category will automatically be updated to Private/Government depending on your company type. For separated employees, your membership record will reflect that you are already separated from the company. Those who transferred from another company, your record will display the new company. These information shall be captured using the Employer Remittance Report (RF-1). (Pursuant to PhilHealth Circular No. 13 s-2010);

• Retiring employees in the private/government institutions will be covered as Lifetime Members provided that the member is at least 60 years of age, has met the 120 monthly contributions and that their employer facilitated their enrolment at least three months prior to the date of retirement. (Pursuant to PhilHealth Circular No. 28, s-2010.

However, it is still recommended that you to check your current MDR so that any further discrepancies can be immediately amended. To know how to amend / update your membership information click here.

Deactivate or Cancel My PhilHealth Membership - Is this possible?

Some of you might be wondering if it is possible to deactivate or cancel your PhilHealth membership and how this can be done. Your reason might be because you have not availed of any PhilHealth benefits yet or you may have had a bad experience with the corporation.

Employed individuals whether in a private or government company/agency will not be able to discontinue paying the PhilHealth premium contribution until such time that they are no longer employed. This is because the employers are mandated or required by law to enroll and deduct the said premium from their employees as they will be penalized for non-compliance. Household help also belong under this category.

For individually paying members or those individuals directly paying PhilHealth premium contributions, you would only need to discontinue payment. You will still be considered registered under the program but your membership will now be set to inactive. If you discontinue payment however, you may no longer be able to avail of PhilHealth benefits if you or any of your registered dependents are hospitalized. You may reactivate your membership upon payment of the required premium contribution for a given quarter, semester or year. Your eligibility to avail of PhilHealth services will be determined by the number of consecutive payments you contribute to the program.

For those under the sponsored sector, membership is automatically set to be inactive once the coverage period reflected in the PhilHealth ID Card (PIC) has expired. Prior to expiry of the coverage however, it is common for the local government units and/or sponsor to enroll or renew the membership to ensure eligibility of PhilHealth benefits.

For the Overseas Filipino Workers, it is mandatory to pay the premium contribution for a one year coverage before departure from the Philippines either directly through the POEA or PhilHealth. Upon expiry of the one year, you may continue paying the premium to ensure that you and your dependents are eligible to avail of PhilHealth benefits.

It is however recommended that before you give up on the program, you should get feedback from other individuals who have availed of PhilHealth benefits. We are sure that although there are some who finds the program below their expectations, there are also those that have a high regard for its existence. We hope that you would be able to choose the right option to secure both you and your family's health. You may check out the reasons why others stay with PhilHealth by clicking here.

Do you have an inactive account with PhilHealth? Know how you can reactivate it by clicking here.

OFWs: How to Avail PhilHealth Benefits (Local Confinement)

Are you currently out of the country and want to know how to avail your PhilHealth Benefits? Then read on.

Am I eligible to avail of PhilHealth Benefits?

1. You and your dependents are covered for one year per payment of 900.00 Php starting from the date of your payment. This is shown in your Member Data Record (MDR) provided by PhilHealth upon registration or updating of your membership record;
2. You have not exhausted the 45 days allowable period (explained here);
3. The hospital and doctor are accredited by PhilHealth;
4. Confinement period should not be less than 24 hours except in emergency cases;
5. The laboratory procedures, surgical procedures and medicines are compensable with PhilHealth; and
6. Claim is not within the single period of confinement (to be explained in succeeding posts).

The same is true for the other membership categories, except for item no. 1 where other categories would qualify if there is a 9 month contribution within a 12 month period prior confinement (starting July 2011).

Requirements for Local Confinement:

1. Automatic Deduction from Hospital

• Hospital may require you to present your PhilHealth Identification Card (PIC);
• Fully accomplished PhilHealth Claim Form 1 (PCF 1);
• Updated Member Data Record (MDR) or in case of undeclared dependents attached supporting documents such as birth certificate;
• Submission to the hospital's billing section the PCF 1 and MDR;
• Receipts for payment of the balance of the professional fees (should display amount deducted from PhilHealth);

Some hospitals would request you to submit the original receipts from medicines/drugs purchases, receipts for payment of laboratory and/or surgical procedures and doctor's fees for them to complete the PhilHealth Claim Form 2. Be sure to retain a photocopy of what you will give them and request for a copy of the Statement of Account from the Hospital. The receipts that was paid fully by you should be reflected in the Benefit Payment Notice as "Pay to Member" so that reimbursement will be directly made to you through check.

2. Direct Filing of Claims / Direct Reimbursement

• Payment of the hospital bill and doctor's fee in full;
• Disclaimer/waiver of full payment from the doctor/surgeon/anesthesiologist;
• All receipts from drugs/medicines (purchased within confinement period), laboratory procedures, surgical procedures and hospital bills;
• Fully accomplished and original PhilHealth Claim Form 1 (PCF 1) and an updated MDR;
• Fully accomplished and original PhilHealth Claim Form 2 (PCF 2) by the doctor's and hospital;
• Fully accomplished and original PhilHealth Claim Form 3 for confinement in Primary Hospitals;
• Operative Record (if applicable); and
• Hospital Statement of Account (this includes breakdown of charges).

The Hospital may request for you to submit all receipts to prepare the PhilHealth Claim Form 2. Just provide them a photocopy of the documents they would need and do not give the original. Be sure to go back to the hospital to retrieve the Claim Form and then submit the form and corresponding required attachments to the PhilHealth Office assigned to the area of the hospital. This should also be filed within 60 days from date of discharge. Ensure that the PhilHealth Claim Form 2 waiver portion for full payment is accomplished by the Hospital. You will need this to be reimbursed.

For inquiries on the status of your claim, you may call PhilHealth's call center or the PhilHealth Office - Claims Department.

Register with PhilHealth and be an NHIP Member

In these difficult times, more and more of Filipinos have realized the importance of being a member of the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP). Although as of now PhilHealth does not cover all medical expenses, it does provide significant financial aid. Health issues sometimes come unannounced and it would be great if there is assistance in lessening the financial burden of paying for medical services.

For only 100.00 pesos per month, you can be a member of PhilHealth under the Individually Paying Member - NonProfessional or a 200.00 pesos per month contribution for self-employed individuals such as practicing doctors, lawyers and others to be registered under the Individually Paying Member - Professional.

How can you be a member of PhilHealth?

1. Accomplish the PhilHealth Membership Registration Form (PMRF). Simply click on the link to download the form.
2. Submit the PMRF together with the required supporting documents. Primary documents for membership is you and your dependent's birth certificate and Marriage License for the declaration of your spouse. Other required documents may be seen in the PMRF form.
3. Once you are issued your PhilHealth Identification Number, you can pay the corresponding premium contribution for the current quarter to activate your membership.

You can also sponsor your loved ones that are not yet a member to provide them the health coverage you are getting. Simply ask them to fill-out the form and submit it to PhilHealth and you can start paying their premium using their corresponding PIN.

Moreover, do you know that as a contributing member, you are also helping our less fortunate countrymen avail of the NHIP? Protect others as you protect yourself and your loved ones from health financial burdens through the socialized health insurance model being implemented by the government.

To know more about becoming a PhilHealth member click here.