Are you a new freelancer or OFW looking into PhilHealth but without any idea how to start? Or someone who quit your job and has no idea about PhilHealth voluntary contribution? 

As we transition into the new normal, health is more important now than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to care for ourselves and prepare financially for any health-related emergencies. PhilHealth is one of the ways we can safeguard our health and finances. 

The Philippines is implementing the Universal Health Care Law to provide healthcare services for all. To enjoy the comprehensive benefits of the UHC, you need to have your PhilHealth membership affairs in order. 

This guide will help you with everything necessary about PhilHealth’s voluntary contributions. From preparation of registration to payments, quick tips, and FAQs. 

Disclaimer: This article has been published for educational purposes only. Neither the author nor FilipiKnow is affiliated with PhilHealth, so specific queries about your membership and insurance benefits must be forwarded to the proper authority.

What Is PhilHealth’s Voluntary Membership?

PhilHealth classifies its contributors into direct and indirect contributors. The government subsidizes indirect contributors. These are usually the indigent population, senior citizens, and those with disabilities. 

Direct contributors pay contributions to Philhealth either through their employers or out of pocket. If you are employed, and your employer shares half of the cost for your contributions, you are considered a direct contributor to the Formal Economy membership. 

On the other hand, those who are not formally employed but with income are classified as Direct contributors under the Informal Economy contributor or the Voluntary Membership¹. 

Voluntary members need to register or update their membership independently and pay the total cost of their contributions. 

Who Is Eligible for Voluntary Membership?

According to PhilHealth, those considered under voluntary membership are the following²

1. Migrant Workers

If you are a Filipino currently working overseas, PhilHealth membership is voluntary. This category covers land-based migrant workers, seafarers, Filipinos living or working abroad that are not citizens of that country, and overseas Filipinos in distress. 

2. Informal Sector

If you deliver goods and services as your source of income, but you are not employed by a company or under contract, you belong to the informal sector. 

Some examples include jeepney and tricycle drivers, vendors, small construction workers, and home-based industries or services. 

3. Self-Earning Individuals

These individuals are not hired by an employer but earn their income by offering their services like professional practitioners. 

Examples are doctors, lawyers, engineers, artists, architects, actors, performers, business people, entrepreneurs, coaches,  athletes, news correspondents, and similar individuals. 

4. Filipinos With Dual Citizenship

If you are a natural-born Filipino in a foreign country with dual citizenship or nationalities, you may also apply for voluntary PhilHealth membership. 

5. Naturalized Filipinos

A Filipino citizen can also apply for voluntary membership through naturalization governed by the Commonwealth Act No. 473 or the Revised Naturalization Law. 

6. Citizens of Other Countries Working and Residing in the Philippines

This refers to foreign citizens residing and working in the Philippines with valid working permits and/or Alien Certificate of Registrations (ACRs). 

Part I. Registration

Requirements for Registration of New PhilHealth Voluntary Member

Alright, you’ve already determined that you are eligible for voluntary membership and are ready to take the next step. First, what do you need to prepare? 

To register as a new voluntary member, these are the documents required by PhilHealth: 

1. Two (2) fully accomplished PhilHealth Member Registration Forms. You can download the form on the Philhealth website.

2. 2 1×1 ID picture 

3. Proof of identity. Accepted are photocopies of your PSA-issued birth certificate or  2 valid IDs: 

• Alien Certification/Immigration Certification of Registration
• Baptismal certificate
• Driver’s license
• DSWD ID 
• GOCC ID
• GSIS e-Card or SSS UMID card
• Integrated Bar of the Philippines ID
• NBI clearance
• OWWA ID
• OFW ID
• Passport
• Police clearance
• Postal ID
• PRC ID
• Senior citizen ID
• TIN ID
• Voter’s ID 
• Certification issued by IP leaders

4. Proof of income 

• Latest Pay Slip (or Certificate of  Separation from Employment)
• Latest financial assessment
• Certificate of Income from LGU/Authorized organizations
• Certificate of Membership with  Monthly Income issued by the association of vendors and drivers and other affiliated organizations
• The Corporation may determine other documents

5. For OFWs, additional requirements may include the following for checking active status:

• Valid Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) or e-receipt
• Working visa/re-entry permit
• Valid employment contract
• Company ID issued by the overseas employer
• Certificate of employment
• Cash remittance receipt from the OFW abroad (at least two months before renewal/payment date)
• ID/Certificate issued to the OFW in the host country (iqama, Permesso di Soggiorno, HK ID, etc.)

How To Register as a New Voluntary PhilHealth Member

Registration can be done online or by personally going to the nearest Local Health Insurance Office or PhilHealth Express Outlet³. 

1. How To Register Online

Online Registration can be done in two ways: 

a. Through the PhilHealth Electronic Registration System

Please note that this system is unavailable as of the time of writing. An overview of the previous process will be given here:

Step 1: Go to https://eregister.philhealth.gov.ph/ and click Proceed

Step 2: Fill out the online registration form

Step 3: Upload requirements 

Step 4: Submit your registration and check your email for further instructions. Your PhilHealth number will also be emailed.

b. Through Email

Step 1: Fill up the PMRF correctly and legibly

In the right upper corner, indicate your purpose as “REGISTRATION.”

Fill up your details. Make sure the information is updated. 

Put in your membership type. For freelancers, check Self-Earning Individual, and for OFWs, select Migrant Worker and specify if Land-Based or Sea-Based. 

Indicate your monthly income and the document you will attach as proof.

Finally, sign the form. 

Step 2: Email the completed PMRF to [email protected] with a scanned copy of your valid ID and other required documents. Use the subject format Register<space>Full Name <space>City/Province, Region

You will receive your Philhealth Identification Number at the email address you provided in your PMRF. 

2. How To Register in Your Nearest Local Health Insurance or PhilHealth Express Outlet

Step 1: Check the PhilHealth office nearest you. The contact number of the office and the schedule are also provided. 

Step 2: Fill out two PMRF forms. As mentioned before, ensure the information provided is complete,  correct, and readable. Make sure to sign the forms. 

Step 3: Submit the filled-out forms and present the requirements for validation. You will be issued your PhilHealth Member Data Record (MDR) and your PhilHealth ID. 

Step 4: Pay for the necessary premium. 

3. How To Register as an OFW

If you are abroad, you can apply through:

•  Any branch of PhilHealth-accredited collecting partners iRemit and Ventaja Corporation
• PhilHealth Electronic Registration System
• Email by sending your PMRF to [email protected] 

How To Add Dependents as a Voluntary PhilHealth Member

You may declare dependents to maximize your PhilHealth benefits fully. You may add them in the space provided in the PMRF form.

The following are the eligible dependents and the additional requirements you need to present to prove your relationship during registration: 

How To Change PhilHealth Membership Category From Employed to Voluntary

If you were formerly employed and will continue your contributions as a voluntary member, you need to update your registration from Formal to Voluntary⁴. 

You still need to secure and complete a copy of the PhilHealth Membership Registration Form. 

In the PMRF, mark Updating/Amendment in the Purpose in the upper right corner. You will use the same PhilHealth Identification number as a formal member. 

In the membership type, you can select your new membership type. 

Remember also to indicate your new income and prepare a proof of income. You will not be able to pay online without updating this portion. 

Submit the PMRF and supporting documents to your local PhilHealth branch. OFWs may email their form to [email protected].

You will be given a new MDR and payment order form with determined payment from your new income. You will need to pay for the contribution as a voluntary member. Succeeding payments can be made online after⁵ . 

Part II. Payment of Contributions

How Much Is PhilHealth Contribution Voluntary?

Your contribution depends on your monthly income. For 2022, the contribution is 4% of your monthly salary⁶. 

Say you earn ₱25,000 per month based on the proof of income you presented when you registered. Based on this table, your contribution will be computed as

Voluntary Member Monthly Premium = (Monthly Income x 0.04)= 25,000 x 0.04= ₱1000

Keep in mind that those earning 10,000 pesos and below are fixed at ₱400.00 per month, while those earning ₱80,000 and above are fixed at ₱3,200.00. 

How To Pay PhilHealth Contribution as a Voluntary Member

You can pay your premiums over the counter or online. 

You can go directly to your nearest PhilHealth Branch or Bayad Centers and SM malls for over-the-counter payments. You may also pay through a bank deposit.  You have to fill out a payment slip and pay onsite. 

Online payments can be made through the PhilHealth Member Portal when you log in with your PhilHealth number.  Remember that you can only pay online if you have already updated your monthly income records.  

Payment Schedules and Deadlines

Payment can be made monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, and annually: 

• Monthly – deadline is the last working day of the month 
• Quarterly – payment is made every three months or quarter; the deadline is the last working day of the quarter you are paying for. 
• Semi-annually – payment is made every 6 months or half the year. The deadline is also the last working day of the half-year you are paying for. 
• Annually – you are already paying for the whole year (January-December). The deadline for this is also the last working day of the first quarter (March 31 if this falls on a working day). 

Tips and Warnings

• As with any government office transaction, expect at least a few hours to half a day if you register for the first time. Lines are usually long in the morning. Arrive early and bring with you a lot of patience. 
• Make sure your supporting documents are complete with photocopies. Also, bring an extra ballpen with you. Remember, there are fewer questions and a smoother transaction if you have complete requirements. 
• Ask questions! PhilHealth branches have an area for inquiry/questions if you have additional questions. You can also ask for assistance if you have questions about filling up the forms. 
• You might get overwhelmed when you go to the office and see different lanes. A lot of the branches implement a numbered queuing system. Ask the proper lane for your purpose and get a number. 
• PhilHealth branches require that all people coming in for transactions fill up a health declaration form, wear a facemask, and practice social distancing. Follow minimum health standard protocols for your safety. 
• Failure to pay premiums will not prevent you from enjoying program benefits under the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Universal Health Care Law. However, you will still be required to pay all missed contributions with interest, compounded monthly. This is 1.5% for self-employed professionals, OFWs and Filipinos living abroad, and those with dual citizenship.
• Always protect your personal information. Make sure your PhilHealth number and MDR are in a safe place. Keep your identifying documents safe as well during transactions. Do not allow other unauthorized people access to your personal information and documents. 

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1. Philhealth Members. PhilHealth. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2022, from https://www.philhealth.gov.ph/members/
2. Philhealth Informal Members. PhilHealth. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2022, from https://www.philhealth.gov.ph/members/informal/
3. Teamphilhealth. (2021, October 8. PhilHealth Registration, Mag-4M na![Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UjRh9JaLso
4. Amending your Data. PhilHealth. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2022, from https://www.philhealth.gov.ph/members/informal/amendment.html
5. Teamphilhealth. (2021, November 5. Mag update ng record, Mag 4M na![Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlUQ97X0g9w
6. Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. (2019).Premium Contribution Schedule from National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) Pursuant to RA 11223 Known as the “Universal Healthcare Act”. Retrieved April 24, 2022, from: https://www.philhealth.gov.ph/circulars/2019/circ2019-0009.pdf