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Complete PhilHealth Online Registration Guide for New Members

The first step to getting universal health insurance coverage in the Philippines is to become a PhilHealth member. This involves going through a membership registration process on-site, which means going to a PhilHealth office, accomplishing forms, submitting the requirements, and being issued a PhilHealth number.

In the new normal, that manual registration method might just slowly become a thing of the past. PhilHealth has made membership enrollment simpler through its PhilHealth online registration facility. Now, you can just complete the process over the internet while staying at home. No lines, no hassle, no contact with other people.

Want to register as a new member? Here’s what new members need to know.

What is PhilHealth Online Registration?

The e-Registration and Amendment System (eRAS) is a PhilHealth online registration facility under the My PhilHealth Portal that enables Filipinos and foreign residents in the Philippines to enroll in the National Health Insurance Program.

PhilHealth’s electronic registration system is an easier alternative to the manual membership enrollment, eliminating the need to line up at a PhilHealth office. Online registration is very convenient, especially for those who live far from the closes PhilHealth branch and those who are currently based abroad.

Using the system is free for everyone who have access to a computer or mobile device and internet connection.

Read more: What is Universal Healthcare Act and How Will It Benefit Us?

Who Should Enroll as a New Member?

Although you can use the traditional membership registration method, it’s a lot better to register online (as long as the e-Registration system is working). It will save you time, money, and effort rather than going personally to a PhilHealth office to enroll as a new member.

The system is intended for use of the following types of members:

• Employees
• Individually paying members (also called voluntary members), including self-employed and unemployed Filipinos, as well as OFWs
• Retirees (also called lifetime members)

Why Should I Register as a PhilHealth Member?

PhilHealth is the Philippine government’s national health insurance program. As the national health insurance provider, the government agency is mandated to cover the hospitalization and other medical expenses of its eligible members.

This means being a PhilHealth member is important not just for your physical but also financial health and well-being.

The expensive cost of availing a healthcare service in the Philippines can reduce or even deplete your savings. If you have PhilHealth coverage and you get hospitalized in an accredited facility, you won’t have to pay for your entire bill because PhilHealth will shoulder a portion of the cost.

PhilHealth Benefits for Members

PhilHealth members enjoy subsidy for the following healthcare costs:

• Hospitalization
• Outpatient services (laboratory tests, day surgery, hemodialysis, etc.)
• Treatment for certain types of cancer (leukemia, breast cancer, etc.)
• Treatment for animal bites, malaria, HIV-AIDS, tuberculosis, and other diseases
• Pre-natal, child delivery, and post-natal services
• COVID-19 testing and hospitalization

Read more:

• PhilHealth Benefits Guide for Regular and Voluntary Members
• SSS and PhilHealth Maternity Benefits Every Parent Needs to Know

PhilHealth Online Registration Requirements

Fortunately, PhilHealth requires only a few things for those who want to register online as new members.

To enroll in PhilHealth online, you need to have your own active email address. This is where PhilHealth will send you the confirmation, transaction number, and other relevant details regarding your online membership registration.

Also, you’ll have to attach a copy of your valid ID to the PhilHealth online registration form. Such a requirement is the only way for PhilHealth to verify your identity since there won’t be face-to-face interaction with the staff for your membership registration.

How to Register in PhilHealth Online

Application Procedure

1. Go to the PhilHealth Electronic Registration System page at eregister.philhealth.gov.ph. If that doesn’t work, visit PhilHealth’s official website at www.philhealth.gov.ph and click on “Online Services” > “Register” (under “Electronic Registration).
2. Click the Proceed button.
3. Click the Accept button to agree to the Terms and Conditions.
4. Enter the required personal and contact information in the form.
5. Upload a clear photo or scanned copy of your valid government-issued ID (birth certificate, passport, driver’s license, etc). Alternatively, you may skip this optional step if you prefer to send a photocopy of your ID to PhilHealth via mail*.
6. Enter the CAPTCHA code
7. Click the Submit Registration button.
8. Check your inbox for a confirmation email from PhilHealth Member Information System containing your transaction number and instructions on the next steps to complete your PhilHealth online registration.
9. Click on the link provided to activate your PhilHealth number.
10. Wait for another email containing your PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN) within three weeks.

*Note: When submitting your supporting document via post, include a printed copy of the confirmation email or indicate your transaction number. The requirements must be received by PhilHealth within 30 days from your online registration to complete your membership enrollment.

Read more: Simple Steps to Getting a PhilHealth ID

FAQs

1. The site is down. What should I do?

You will not be able to enroll in PhilHealth online when the e-registration system is having a downtime. It happens when it’s undergoing system maintenance or enhancement.

When the system is not working, you can either wait for it to get restored or apply for PhilHealth membership manually.

PhilHealth Manual Registration Steps

1. Go to the nearest Local Health Insurance Office or PhilHealth Express outlet^[1]. Senior citizens may also apply through the Office for the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) in their city or municipal hall. OFWs who are currently abroad may through any iRemit or Ventaja Corporation branch.
2. Fill out two copies of the PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF). Even better, download, fill out, and print the PMRF on the PhilHealth website^[2] beforehand, so you can finish your registration sooner.
3. Submit your accomplished PMRF and present your valid ID.
4. Receive your Member Data Record (MDR) and PhilHealth ID.

PhilHealth Membership Registration via Email

If you live in Metro Manila, you may try sending a soft copy of your accomplished PMRF and valid ID to the email address of the regional PhilHealth office in your area. This way, you don’t have to leave your home to apply for membership at a PhilHealth branch.

Here are the email addresses for those who prefer to file their membership registration via email.

OFWs currently overseas may email the PhilHealth online registration requirements to the Overseas Filipinos Program Office (ofp@philhealth.gov.ph).

Related: A Complete Guide to PhilHealth Voluntary Membership Registration

2. What is PhilHealth number?

The PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN), or PhilHealth number for short, is a unique and lifetime 12-digit number assigned to every PhilHealth member upon membership registration. Required for all transactions with the government agency, the PhilHealth number is used for identification and eligibility verification of members.

3. How to know my PhilHealth number online?

To get your PhilHealth number online, you have to register as a new member first. When you’ve completed your procedure, you’ll be issued your PhilHealth number through email.

If you’re an existing member and you lost your PhilHealth number, you may request it through the PhilHealth Action Center at (02) 8441-7442 or email (actioncenter@philhealth.gov.ph).

4. How can I get my PhilHealth number through text?

PhilHealth used to have a text facility dedicated to PhilHealth number verification. It’s not working anymore.

However, PhilHealth has a text hotline (0917-898-7442) that you may contact if you need assistance in recovering your PhilHealth number.

5. How can I get my PhilHealth MDR form online?

Use the Member Inquiry facility on the PhilHealth website to get a digital copy of your MDR. Aside from that, this online service can also be used for checking the accuracy of your PhilHealth membership records and posted contributions.

Here are the steps to access your PhilHealth MDR online:

1. On the PhilHealth website’s homepage, click on “Online Services” > “Register/Login” (under Member Inquiry).
2. Register for an online account by providing the required details on the online registration form.
3. Check your inbox for an email message from PhilHealth Member Information System confirming the successful creation of your Member Inquiry online account.
4. Click on the verification link in the email to activate your account.
5. Return to the Member Inquiry facility and log in to your account using your PIN and password (Both are included in the email you’ll receive from PhilHealth).
6. Click on “MDR Printing” to download and/or print your MDR.

If you can’t access the Member Inquiry page (which happens a lot lately due to downtimes), you can request a copy of your MDR at the nearest PhilHealth branch. Just present a valid ID for identity verification.

Back to the main article: Valid IDs in the Philippines You Need to Have

Final Thoughts

With PhilHealth having multiple instances of website downtime this year, expect that your PhilHealth online registration might not happen when you need it. Just be patient and take the alternate route, which is to enroll in PhilHealth manually.

After all, the process is just easy with a few simple steps. The hardest part is waiting in line for about an hour. But you’ll realize all the effort will be worth it when you or your dependent falls ill—the PhilHealth benefits you’ll get will lighten the load on your wallet.

Sources:

• ^[1] PhilHealth branch directory
• ^[2] PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF)

Venus Zoleta

Venus is the Head of Content at Moneymax, with 15+ years of experience in digital marketing, corporate communications, PR, and journalism. She invests in stocks, mutual funds, VUL, and Pag-IBIG MP2. Outside of work, she’s crazy about cats and Korean dramas. Follow Venus on LinkedIn.