PhilHealth


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Members

Frequently Asked Questions


Membership and premiums concerns

1. I just missed a quarter's payment due to an unforeseen event. Is there a chance that I can still pay for the missed quarter?

As per PhilHealth Circular No. 06, series of 2001, retroactive payments are not allowed except when a member can show proof of sufficient regularity of premium contributions or payment of nine (9) consecutive months or three consecutive quarters within the last 12 months prior to the missed quarter. If you meet this condition, you shall be given a grace period of one month immediately after the missed quarter to pay retroactively including the current calendar quarter.


For newly enrolled members (with less than 12 months reckoned from date of enrollment), retroactive payment for the missed quarter including the current calendar quarter shall also be allowed within the month immediately following the missed period.


This privilege is granted only once every 12 months.

2. Can I still refund my contribution if I mistakenly paid twice for the same period?

Overpayments shall be adjusted to cover underpayments (if there's any) or shall be considered as advance payments.

3. I heard that self-employed professionals pay a different amount of PhilHealth premium. How much is this PhilHealth premium and how do I know if I am under this category?

As per PhilHealth Circular No. 34, s-2010, new enrollees who are professionals and are unable to show proof that their estimated monthly family income is Php 25,000 and below shall pay the new premium contribution of Php 600 per quarter effective immediately.


Existing members and new enrollees who are considered ”professional” such as doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, nurses, architects, dentists and accountants shall pay Php 900/quarter effective January 1, 2012.


Those whose monthly family income in the last 12 months is Php 25,000 and below shall still pay Php 300/quarter.


Among those who are considered "professionals" are doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, nurses, architects, dentists and accountants. For the complete List of Professionals, please visit the PhilHealth website.

4. My spouse is also a PhilHealth member. Are we allowed to declare our only child so that we can both apply our separate coverage in the event she gets sick?

PhilHealth does not allow multiple declaration and application of PhilHealth entitlements of both spouses. We advise you to decide who among you will declare and provide for the PhilHealth coverage of your only child as a dependent.

5. Can a foreign national enroll as an Individually Paying Member?

YES, the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 7875, as amended by RA 9241, provides for the inclusion to the National Health Insurance Program the citizens of other countries residing and/or working in the Philippines. If the foreign national is employed, he/she shall be registered under the Employed Sector Program. Meanwhile, if he/she is self-employed or merely residing in the country, he/she may enroll as an Individually Paying Member. He/she only needs to accomplish and submit to any PhilHealth office, the PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF) and a photocopy of his/her Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to prove his/her residency in the country.


Benefits and availment concerns

1. I am a new member. When will I become eligible to avail of PhilHealth benefits?

For one to become eligible for the benefits, payment of at least three (3) months within the immediate six (6) months prior to the month of confinement shall be required. However, payment of at least nine months within the last 12 months shall be asked of Individually Paying Members availing of the following procedures/packages:

  • • Pregnancy-related cases
  • • Dialysis (except those undergoing emergency dialysis service during confinement)
  • • Chemotherapy
  • • Cataract Extraction
  • • Radiotherapy
  • • Selected surgical procedures

Individually Paying Members and Employed Members will now be required to have at least nine (9) months contributions within twelve (12) months prior to the month of availment for all confinements including availment of outpatient benefits).

2. In case my qualified dependent is not included in the Member Data Record (MDR) and he/she gets sick, what applicable document should I submit?

If your dependent gets hospitalized and he/she is not listed in your MDR yet, you may submit a clear copy of the following:

  • • Spouse - marriage contract/certificate
  • • Children - birth certificate
  • • Parents - birth certificate of member and patient or Senior Citizen's ID
3. Will PhilHealth reimburse my hospitalization in a foreign country even if the hospital is not accredited by PhilHealth?

Overseas confinements of PhilHealth members, regardless of their membership category, and their dependents are still covered and shall be paid based on Level 3 Hospital benefit rates.

4. What is a "single period of confinement"?

It refers to a confinement or series of confinements for the same illness with intervals of not more than 90 days. In such cases, members are not entitled to another set of benefits/allowances until after 90 days. They can only avail of the unused portion of their benefits and their room and board allowance until their 45-day allowance in a year is exhausted. Each member is entitled to a maximum of 45 days for room and board allowance per calendar year and another 45 days to be shared by all of the dependents.


However, members can avail themselves of a new set of benefits if succeeding confinements are of different illnesses or conditions.

5. What if I am not readily available to sign the PhilHealth Claim Form 1?

The following are allowed to sign the said form on your behalf:

Member Status Authorized person (in order of priority)
Member is married Legal spouse
Child 18 years old and above in the absence of spouse.
Parent (mother or father) in the absence of spouse and child
Member is single Parent (mother or father)
Member is orphaned Brother/sister/guardian
Other individuals as duly Authorized Representative

Clearly state in the form the reason for signing on behalf of the member, or a certification (on a separate sheet of paper) may also may be issued to this effect, with the full name, complete address and contact number/s of the authorized signatory also indicated.

Provide a photocopy of the authorized signatory's identification card (ID) and/or proof establishing his/her relationship to the member.

6. Are emergency cases covered?

Emergency cases as defined by PhilHealth shall be paid.

7. What if the hospital is not accredited? Will I still get paid?

Claims of members confined in non-accredited hospitals shall not be compensated unless all of the following conditions are met:

  • Case is emergency as determined by PhilHealth
  • The hospital or facility has a current DOH license
  • Physical transfer/referral to an accredited facility is impossible as determined by PhilHealth
8. How will I know if I was deducted the correct amount of benefits?

Members are sent a benefit payment notice or BPN to report the actual payments made by PhilHealth relative to their confinement/availment. The BPN is sent to the address indicated by the member in his claim form.


Should there be discrepancies in the payments and the actual benefits deducted from your hospital and doctors' bills, you may present your BPN, your copy of the hospital's Statement of Account/Billing Statement, and Official Receipts to your health care provider.

9. How long does it take to process a PhilHealth claim?

All claims with complete and properly accomplished documents except those under investigation shall be processed and paid within 60 calendar days from receipt thereof.