A Guide to Voluntary PhilHealth Contribution in the Philippines

In the Philippines, access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right legally supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). Under the landmark Universal Health Care (UHC) Law (Republic Act No. 11223), all Filipinos are automatically members of PhilHealth. 

However, automatic enrollment is distinct from active coverage. To access and utilize the full spectrum of PhilHealth benefits when you need them, you must maintain an active contribution status. Usually, when you are hired under a company, part of the employer’s obligation is to register you as an employee and remit contributions on your behalf. 

But what about for freelancers or if you’re self-employed? How do you know how much you need to contribute to PhilHealth and when? In this guide, we will give you a comprehensive look about voluntary PhilHealth contributions including contribution rate, payment schedule, and requirements for registration. 

What is Considered a “Voluntary” Member?

PhilHealth categorizes its members into two fundamental classes: Direct Contributors and Indirect Contributors. Direct contributors pay personally or through an employer, while Indirect Contributors are government-subsidized (e.g., indigents and sponsored members). 

As a voluntary contributor, you fall under the Direct Contributor group, specifically within the Informal Economy sector. This distinction is crucial because you must shoulder the full 100% premium yourself including registration. This encompasses the entire process from income declaration to timely remittance, since there is no employer to share the cost.

You should consider registering as a voluntary member if you are:

1. Self-Earning Individuals and Professionals: This rapidly expanding group includes millions of freelancers, independent consultants, online professionals, small-scale entrepreneurs, and those in the gig economy, alongside traditional professionals like doctors and lawyers. Your declared income serves as the basis for your premium.
2. Overseas Filipinos (OFWs): Maintaining active voluntary coverage is crucial for both land-based and sea-based OFWs. It ensures that upon your return, or for any medical emergency involving your dependents residing in the Philippines, benefits are immediately accessible.
3. Unemployed Individuals: Those who recently separated from a company must quickly switch their status to voluntary to avoid a lapse in contribution history, which is essential for meeting the benefit eligibility period required for claims.
4. Special Cases: This covers Filipinos with dual citizenship, naturalized Filipinos, and foreign citizens legally working and residing in the country with the financial capacity to pay.

Step-by-Step Guide to Voluntary Membership Registration

The process of securing your membership is critical for ensuring your future claims are processed smoothly. It is important that you submit all the required forms and proof of income, declared contribution rate, and validity of any claim filed years down the line. 

Registration Requirements (New Members)

If you don’t have a PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN), you must formally register to establish your Member Data Record (MDR) within the system. Here’s what you need to apply:

You can submit these documents using the PhilHealth Electronic Registration System (ERSS) or visit the nearest  PhilHealth Local Health Insurance Office (LHIO) or Express Outlet.  Once verified, you will be issued your unique PIN and your MDR, which lists your details and registered dependents.

Transitioning from Employed to Voluntary Status

If you have separated from your employer, you do not need a new PIN. You simply need to update your status to avoid having gaps in your contributions.

1. Fill out the PMRF: Check the box for “Updating/Amendment” and indicate the change in your membership status (e.g., from Formal Economy to Self-Earning Individual).
2. Declare New Income: Update your declared monthly income and attach the corresponding proof (ITR or Affidavit of Income).
3. Submit: Submit the PMRF and supporting documents to the nearest PhilHealth office or via their designated email channels.

Voluntary Contribution Rates, Computation, and Payment Schedules

Unlike formally employed members, you must be your own compliance officer and accountant. Failing to remit by the deadline immediately triggers the interest penalty and jeopardizes your ability to avail of life-saving medical benefits.

The Current Contribution Rate (2025) 

In compliance with the UHC Law’s scheduled adjustments, the premium rate for Direct Contributors (including voluntary members) is currently set at 5.0% of your declared monthly income. This rate is subject to a minimum and a maximum contribution:

Monthly Declared Income	Premium Rate	Monthly Premium (PHP)
PHP 10,000.00 and below	5.0%	PHP 500.00 (Minimum)
PHP 10,000.01 to PHP 99,999.99	5.0%	PHP 500.00 to PHP 5,000.00
PHP 100,000.00 and above	5.0%	PHP 5,000.00 (Maximum)

For example, if your declared monthly income is PHP 40,000, your monthly premium is PHP 40,000 x 0.05 = 2,000.

To qualify for PhilHealth benefits when confined in an accredited hospital, you must:

• Have paid at least nine (9) months of premium contributions within the 12-month period immediately preceding the month of confinement.
• Alternatively, for newly registered members or those recently shifted, you must have paid at least three (3) months of contributions within the immediate six (6) months prior to the first day of availability.

Declaring Dependents

Your premium covers your entire legal family unit. A single contribution covers you as the principal member, and all your declared legal dependents, including:

• Your legal spouse (if not a member).
• Your children (legitimate, adopted, or stepchildren) who are unmarried, unemployed, and below 21 years old.
• Children 21 years old or older who are dependent on you due to physical or mental disability.

The critical point is that all dependents must be officially and accurately listed on your Member Data Record (MDR). Failing to list them, even if legally related, will lead to the denial of their claims during a health crisis.

Flexible Payment Schedules

As a voluntary contributor, you have the flexibility to choose a payment frequency that suits your income stream:

• Monthly: Payment must be made within the month being covered.
• Quarterly: Due on or before the last working day of the applicable quarter.
• Semi-Annually: Due on or before the last working day of the second and fourth quarters.
• Annually: Due on or before the last working day of the first quarter of the coverage year.

You can pay your contribution through the PhilHealth Member Portal, through online banking with major Philippine banks or through mobile e-wallets such as GCash and Maya. You can also pay at any PhilHealth LHIO, selected accredited commercial banks, Bayad Centers, or SM Bills Payment centers. For OFWs, you can pay your contributions through PhilHealth-accredited remittance partners. 

RecruitGo makes it easier for employers to handle PhilHealth contributions for freelancers in the Philippines. Our Employer of Record (EOR) services enables you to hire and manage independent contractors without a local entity. We will handle worker registration, obtain member PINs for your employees, and calculate and remit contributions on your behalf. RecruitGo acts as the legal employer of your contractors so you don’t need to worry about HR compliance, especially on social security contributions like PhilHealth. 

Tell us about your plans to hire and expand in the Philippines! Fill out the form below for a free consultation with our compliance experts in the country.