Pinoys have yet to fully accept the values and benefits of being insured. Whether it is a life or medical insurance, every working Filipino must be protected from the inevitable. When unfortunate situations arise – a family member gets sick, a child meets an accident – it is best to be prepared.
If you are employed by the government or by a private firm, it is most likely that you are granted a medical insurance sponsored by your employer. This is a good thing to have, especially if it is extended to your family. However, this is only applicable while you are salaried by your employer. The moment you quit your job (or it quits you!), you lose the privilege and will be left on your own to manage when you or someone in your family gets sick.
That is why it is important that you have yourself enlisted as a member of the PhilHealth, if you haven’t yet. The PhilHealth voluntary membership is open to anyone who does not have a fixed employment, not a senior citizen, not an indigent member, or sponsored member of the PhilHealth.
Who are qualified to become voluntary PhilHealth members?
- OFWs – documented or undocumented Filipino workers abroad.
- Self-employed professionals – self-earning individuals such as entrepreneurs, lawyers, doctors, and freelancers whose income is generated from their profession or business.
- Informal sector workers – people working in the informal economy, including jeepney and tricycle drivers, street and market vendors, and small construction workers.
- Dual citizens – Filipinos who also hodl citizenship in another country.
- Naturalized Filipino citizens – foreigners who have become Filipino citizens through naturalization.
- Expats – foreign workers who live in the Philippines with valid working permits or Alien Certificate of Registration.
What documentary requirements do you need to prepare when applying?
You only need a duly accomplished PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF) and submit this to the nearest Local Health Insurance Office or PhilHealth Express outlet.
You will then be issued a Member Data Record or MDR and an ID card after your application has been reviewed. Your PhilHealth ID number will serve as your lifetime PhilHealth number and must be used as reference when you pay your contributions to the cashier.
Online application is also available!
- Go to the PhilHealth Electronic Registration System.
- Click on “Proceed”.
- Read the Terms and Conditions, tick the small box below, and click “Accept”.
- On the PhilHealth online registration form, enter the required information.
- Upload your document in jpeg, pdf, gif, or png format. (optional)
- Enter the provided Captcha code, tick the small box below, and click “Submit Registration”.
Access your email for the instructions on how to complete the rest of your application. Take note of your transaction number as this will serve as your reference number to your registration.
How much should be my contribution?
Members earning PHP 25,000 or below every month must pay a quarterly contribution of PHP 600 (or PHP 200 per month / PHP 2,400 per year).
Members earning over PHP 25,000 must pay PHP 900 for the quarter (or PHP 300 per month / PHP 3,600 per year).
It costs so little to become a bona fide PhilHealth member, but the assurance of knowing that you are covered by the PhilHealth when emergencies strike will far outweigh the price you think you are paying now.
Visit the nearest PhilHealth office now and have yourself signed up as a member.
Reference: http://www.philhealth.gov.ph
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