`Source: University of the Philippines Population Institute`

There are numerous responsibilities that we need to face when we are turning to adulthood. Bills, paperwork, and applying for an identification card (ID card) in different government agencies are some of the examples of our responsibilities as we become adults.

In finding a job in the future, it is important to acquire various government issued ID cards— specifically a PhilHealth ID card. Not only is it needed for a job requirement, it offers extensive health care benefits.

Nowadays, preventing illness and serious injuries are challenging things to maintain especially when we are not backed-up with any healthcare insurance. However, how can you secure yourself if you are a student who is not yet lawfully permitted to take a job?

Fortunately, PhilHealth caters various benefits whenever we are hospitalized. Several Filipinos are unable to pay their hospital bills due to the high cost of health care available. This is why the majority of people apply for PhilHealth to finance their treatment.

Health Care Solutions of PhilHealth

You certainly desire that you do not need to use PhilHealth privileges at any point since you are only a student. However, illness is inevitable, therefore having medical insurance is helpful in the event that you do require it. That is why PhilHealth functions as an agency rooted from the government capable of giving medical help and healthcare privileges to the people.

A child might be wondering right now on how to register for PhilHealth due to the advantages it presents to their members. However, is it possible for a student to register for PhilHealth? Well, definitely yes.

PhilHealth for Students

Do you consider yourself having attained the age of independence, at the same time a student but aren’t yet financially secure enough to pay a monthly charge to Philhealth? Technically, you are under the category of a dependent if this is the case.

Students under the age of 21 can register in PhilHealth and receive its services without paying any extra costs. They will, however, be recognized as dependent members. These members are people whose payments are provided by eligible/primary members (e.g. an adult), and who are identified by the principal member in their amended PhilHealth MDR (Member’s Data Record) which we will be discussing later. The dependents will be insured separately for maximum to 45 days every calendar year, however the stipend will be divided.

If you are willing to apply, you can opt for membership through PhilHealth online registration for easy and accessible steps. You may also go for PhilHealth manual registration. Not sure how these two ways work? Read these steps and guarantee that you will be enlightened to read!

Ways on How to Become a PhilHealth Member

To recognize the student as a dependent, the primary member should proceed to the PhilHealth center and present his or her PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF) including the requirements listed. For the list of other identification cards and documents, you may access them here (situated in Annex A page of the document).

Requirements Need for Membership

1.If you are a student and considered younger than 21 years old, whether you are a legitimate child or not. You may bring either of the following documents:

2 Birth certificate or;
Any valid IDs/documents in Table 1.2 and 2

2. If you are a student, considered younger than 21 years old, and adopted, kindly present a resolution of adoption/court decree. An individual must also present the following

Birth certificate; and any of the two (2) valid documents/IDs:

One from 1.2 AND
One from 2

3. Does the legal system recognize you as a stepchild, and currently a student below 21 years of age? Then you will need these documents:

Natural parent and step parent’s marriage certificate; and any of the following

Birth Certificate of the adopted child; OR
Any two (2) valid IDs/ documents. One from table 1.2 and one from table 2

Different Steps on How to Register for PhilHealth

Everyone can be an eligible member of PhilHealth. As your first contribution, you need to settle it since it serves as the entry payment prior or after your registration. Avoid re-application if you are an existing member of the system and you wish to modify your membership type.

Your first step in registering for PhilHealth might be in two different ways. Anyone can file with PhilHealth online reg or at a PhilHealth branch by filling out a walk-in form. Either the online and manual registration procedures are exclusive for first-time registrants.

PhilHealth online registration

1.Go to the PhilHealth Electronic Registration System

Access the PhilHealth online registration site here in starting your first step. Since there is a possible occurrence of inevitable technical problems, the electronic system registration system is occasionally unavailable. Simply wait a few moments and reload the site frequently.

After you’ve logged in, select the Proceed option. Finally, to agree to the Terms and Conditions, tick the box. Then press the Accept button.

2. Complete the PhilHealth Online Registration Form

The PhilHealth online application is basic to accomplish. You must correctly complete out the necessary details marked with an asterisk (*) on your registration form PhilHealth in order to proceed with your registration.

Usually, filling out the district section can be tricky for most people living in Metro Manila. To avoid this mistake, you can click here for more information. No need to worry about zip code since it will be automatically filled out after you input your complete address.

Select the appropriate membership type under the Membership Category Information segment. If you graduated recently or are a college student enrolling in PhilHealth for your requirement prior in applying for a job, select “Others.” Also, minors fall under this category.

3. Submitting your PhilHealth requirements

If you want to present your documents to PhilHealth in person, leave this step blank. It is, therefore, considerably more practical to accomplish this electronically. Take decent pictures of your PhilHealth registration documents and store the file on your device. Each file should not exceed 2MB in size and in the format of JPEG, PNG, PDF, or GIF.

Afterwards, as displayed on your window, enter the Captcha code. And tick the box to verify that your information is true and accurate. Finally, select the Submit Registration button to complete your registration.

4. Wait for a confirmation message

You should get a response from PhilHealth e-Registration System within a few moments of processing your application. It includes a verification link that you’ll need to access to finish your PhilHealth online registration.

Check for the email in your Spam or Bulk E-mail section if it isn’t in your inbox.

5. Receiving of your PhilHealth number

You’ll get an additional email with a transaction number after your registration has been validated, which you may use to check on the status of your registration. It also contains the email address of the PhilHealth office nearby, to which you can go for your additional concerns.

Manual Registration in PhilHealth

1.Satisfy the PhilHealth membership registration requirement

Visit any proximate PhilHealth establishment and submit your registration form PhilHealth. After this, you must attentively recheck your credentials before its encoding onto the system.

2. Send a contribution to PhilHealth

Deposit your payment at the Transaction Processor’s window. If you register at a mall’s PhilHealth Express, you’ll be directed to the closest approved collection partner to settle the balance.

3. Receive your PhilHealth ID and PhilHealth MDR

Submit the OR to the PhilHealth staff who handled your application. Following that, the officer will generate and distribute a copy of your OR, ID and, and PhilHealth MDR (Member Data Record).

Now that you know about the best way to start your first step on how to become a PhilHealth member, you should be always mindful of some instances during your application. Warnings may be directed on some fixers as it is considered illegal. Your PhilHealth documents are confidential information so keep it private in all aspects.

Keep in mind that any form of application for being a PhilHealth member, such as PhilHealth online registration or passing the PhilHealth form manually, is designated for new applicants only. For more inquiries kindly refer to these official contacts of PhilHealth:

Facebook: /PhilHealthofficial
Twitter: @teamphilhealth
Email: actioncenter@philhealth.gov.ph
Hotline: (02) 441-7442
Text Line: +639178987442