How to Register PhilHealth Dependents
One of the most important benefits of being a PhilHealth member is that your qualified dependents are also covered under your membership -- at no additional cost. This means your spouse, children, and in some cases your parents can enjoy the same PhilHealth benefits and hospitalization coverage as you do. Under the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act (Republic Act No. 11223), all Filipino citizens and their qualified dependents are guaranteed access to affordable and quality health care. This comprehensive guide explains who qualifies as a dependent, the requirements for registration, the step-by-step process, and how your dependents can use PhilHealth benefits at hospitals and clinics.
Dependent Registration at a Glance
Cost
FREE. There is no additional premium or fee to register dependents. Your qualified dependents are automatically covered under your existing PhilHealth membership and contributions.
Processing Time
Same day to a few working days, depending on the PhilHealth Local Health Insurance Office (LHIO) and completeness of your documents.
Key Fact
Dependents enjoy the same PhilHealth benefits as the principal member. They can avail of inpatient and outpatient benefits, including room and board, drugs and medicines, laboratory and diagnostic fees, operating room fees, and professional fees -- all under the member's PhilHealth coverage.
Who Qualifies as a PhilHealth Dependent?
Under PhilHealth rules and the Universal Health Care Act, the following individuals may be registered as dependents of a PhilHealth member. Dependents do not need to pay separate contributions -- they are covered under the principal member's membership.
Immediate Family
- Legal spouse -- Must be legally married to the member (civil or church wedding recognized under Philippine law)
- Legitimate, illegitimate, or legally adopted children -- Must be below 21 years old, unmarried, and unemployed
- Children 21 years old and above -- Only if they have a permanent disability (physical or mental incapacity), regardless of age
Parents & Foster Children
- Parents (father and/or mother) -- May be declared as dependents only if the member has no legal spouse and no children. This includes adoptive parents.
- Foster children -- Must have a valid DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) foster care certification or court order for legal custody
- Stepchildren -- May be included if legally adopted or if the biological parent who is the member's spouse declares them
Important: A member can only declare parents as dependents if the member has NO legal spouse AND no legitimate, illegitimate, or adopted children. Once the member gets married or has a child, the parents can no longer be listed as dependents and must obtain their own PhilHealth membership (they may qualify as senior citizen members or indigent members under the UHC Act).
Requirements for Registering Dependents
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF) | The official PMRF form must be filled out with the dependents' complete information. You can download the PMRF from the PhilHealth website or get a copy at any PhilHealth Local Health Insurance Office (LHIO). Make sure to fill in the dependents section completely with full names, dates of birth, and relationship to the member. |
| PSA Marriage Certificate (for spouse) | Required when registering your legal spouse as a dependent. Must be a PSA-authenticated copy (not the church or local civil registry copy). This proves the legal marital relationship. Cost: P155 from PSA. |
| PSA Birth Certificate(s) (for children) | Required for each child being registered as a dependent. Must be a PSA-authenticated copy showing the parent-child relationship. The birth certificate must show the member as a parent. Cost: P155 per copy from PSA. |
| Valid ID of the PhilHealth Member | At least one valid government-issued ID with photo and signature (e.g., PhilSys/National ID, passport, driver's license, UMID, SSS ID, PRC ID, postal ID, voter's ID). Bring the original and a photocopy. |
| Adoption Papers (for adopted children) | If registering a legally adopted child, submit the court-issued Decree of Adoption or Certificate of Adoption from the DSWD/Inter-Country Adoption Board. The adoption must be finalized and legally recognized. |
| DSWD Certification (for foster children) | For foster children, a valid DSWD foster care license or certification is required, along with the foster child placement authority issued by DSWD. This must be current and not expired. |
| PWD ID or Medical Certificate (for children with disability) | If registering a child who is 21 years old or above due to permanent disability, submit a valid PWD ID issued by the local government unit, or a medical certificate from a licensed physician attesting to the child's permanent physical or mental incapacity. |
| PSA Birth Certificate of Member (for parents as dependents) | When declaring parents as dependents, the member's own PSA birth certificate is needed to prove the parent-child relationship. An affidavit declaring that the member has no spouse and no children may also be required. |
Step-by-Step: How to Register Your Dependents
Follow these steps to register your qualified dependents under your PhilHealth membership. The process is straightforward and free of charge.
Determine Your Eligible Dependents
Before going to PhilHealth, identify who among your family members qualifies as a dependent. Remember that your legal spouse and children below 21 (unmarried and unemployed) are automatically eligible. If you have no spouse and no children, your parents may be registered instead. Children with permanent disability qualify regardless of age. Make a list of the dependents you want to register and gather their complete information (full name, date of birth, place of birth).
Tip: Check your current PhilHealth Member Data Record (MDR) first. If you previously registered dependents, they may already be in the system. You can verify through the PhilHealth Member Portal at memberinquiry.philhealth.gov.ph or by visiting any PhilHealth LHIO.
Get and Fill Out the PMRF with Dependent Information
Obtain a PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF) from any PhilHealth LHIO or download it from the PhilHealth website at www.philhealth.gov.ph. Fill in all required fields, paying special attention to the Dependents Section of the form. For each dependent, provide:
- Complete name (last name, first name, middle name, name extension)
- Date of birth (month/day/year)
- Relationship to the member (spouse, son, daughter)
- PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN) of the dependent, if previously issued
- Citizenship and civil status (for spouse)
Important: Write legibly in black ink. Use your dependents' names exactly as they appear on their PSA birth certificates or marriage certificate to avoid discrepancies.
Gather All Supporting Documents
Prepare the required supporting documents for each dependent you are registering. The documents needed depend on the type of dependent:
- For spouse: PSA-issued Marriage Certificate (original and photocopy)
- For children: PSA-issued Birth Certificate of each child (original and photocopy)
- For adopted children: Court Decree of Adoption or DSWD/ICAB Certificate of Adoption, plus the child's amended PSA Birth Certificate
- For foster children: DSWD Foster Care License and Placement Authority
- For children with disability (21+): Valid PWD ID or medical certificate of permanent disability
- For parents: Member's PSA Birth Certificate (to prove parent-child relationship) and an affidavit of no spouse/no children
Also bring your own valid government-issued ID and your PhilHealth ID card or any document showing your PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN).
Submit at the PhilHealth Office (LHIO)
Visit the nearest PhilHealth Local Health Insurance Office (LHIO) or PhilHealth Express (PHEx) outlet. Go to the Member Services or Registration counter and submit your accomplished PMRF together with all supporting documents. The PhilHealth staff will review your form and documents, verify the information, and process the dependent registration.
No fee is required for dependent registration. The process is completely free. Processing usually takes the same day if your documents are complete.
Alternative: For employed members, you may also submit your updated PMRF through your employer's HR department. Many employers process PhilHealth dependent registration on behalf of their employees and submit the forms to PhilHealth in batch.
Verify That Dependents Are Registered
After submission, ask the PhilHealth staff to confirm that your dependents have been successfully added to your Member Data Record (MDR). You can also verify online through the PhilHealth Member Portal at memberinquiry.philhealth.gov.ph. Check that all dependent names, dates of birth, and relationships are correctly reflected. Request a printout of your updated MDR for your records.
Note: If you notice any errors in the dependent registration (misspelled names, wrong dates), have it corrected immediately at the PhilHealth office to avoid issues when availing of benefits.
Your Dependents Can Now Use PhilHealth Benefits
Once registered, your dependents are immediately eligible to use PhilHealth benefits when they need medical care. They can avail of inpatient and outpatient benefits at any PhilHealth-accredited hospital, clinic, or health facility. The member's contributions must be up to date (at least 3 months of contributions within the last 6 months prior to confinement for employed members, or at least 9 months of contributions within the last 12 months for voluntary/self-paying members).
Reminder: Keep your PhilHealth contributions updated. Even if your dependents are registered, they can only avail of benefits if the principal member's premium payments are current and sufficient.
How Dependents Use PhilHealth Benefits at Hospitals
When a registered dependent needs hospitalization or medical care, the following process applies at PhilHealth-accredited hospitals and clinics:
Upon Admission or Consultation
- Present the member's PhilHealth ID or PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN) to the hospital billing or admissions department
- Provide a valid ID of the dependent (if available) and the member
- Submit a PhilHealth Claim Form 1 (CF1) -- signed by the member or an authorized representative
- The hospital will verify member eligibility and dependent status through the PhilHealth electronic system
Benefits Coverage for Dependents
- Inpatient benefits: Room and board, drugs and medicines, laboratory and diagnostic procedures, operating room fees, professional fees
- Outpatient benefits: Primary care consultation and diagnostic packages at accredited health facilities
- Case rate packages: Specific amounts allocated for particular medical cases (e.g., pneumonia, normal delivery, caesarean section)
- Z-Benefits: Coverage for catastrophic conditions (e.g., certain cancers, kidney transplant, coronary artery bypass)
- PhilHealth benefits are applied as deductions from the total hospital bill -- the remaining balance (if any) is the patient's responsibility
No Balance Billing (for Basic and Ward Accommodations)
Under PhilHealth's No Balance Billing (NBB) policy, qualified members and their dependents who are confined in basic or ward accommodations at government hospitals shall not be charged any amount beyond what PhilHealth covers. This means PhilHealth covers the entire hospitalization cost for eligible patients in government hospitals at the ward level. NBB applies to members whose monthly income does not exceed P12,000.
Real-World Example: Carlo Registers His Family as Dependents
Carlo, 32, is an employed PhilHealth member working at a private company in Makati City. He recently married his wife Ana and they have two children: Sofia (age 5) and Miguel (age 2). Carlo wants to make sure his family is covered under his PhilHealth membership. Here is how he registered his dependents:
Gathered Documents and Filled Out PMRF
Carlo gathered the required documents: his PSA Marriage Certificate with Ana, the PSA Birth Certificates of Sofia and Miguel, his PhilHealth ID, and a valid government ID. He downloaded the PMRF from the PhilHealth website and filled in the dependents section with Ana's complete name (as it appears on the marriage certificate), Sofia and Miguel's names (as they appear on their birth certificates), their dates of birth, and their relationships to him (spouse, daughter, son). He photocopied all documents.
Submitted at PhilHealth LHIO
Carlo visited the PhilHealth Local Health Insurance Office (LHIO) in Makati during his lunch break. He took a queue number at the Member Services counter, submitted his accomplished PMRF with all supporting documents, and waited about 20 minutes. The PhilHealth staff reviewed his documents, verified the information, and processed the registration. Carlo was not charged any fee -- the dependent registration was completely free.
Received Confirmation and Updated MDR
The PhilHealth staff confirmed that Ana, Sofia, and Miguel were now registered as Carlo's dependents. Carlo requested a printout of his updated Member Data Record (MDR), which now showed all three dependents with their correct names and birthdates. He was told that his family can immediately use PhilHealth benefits at any accredited hospital as long as his contributions are up to date.
Miguel Gets Hospitalized -- PhilHealth Benefits Used
Two weeks later, Miguel developed a high fever and was admitted to a PhilHealth-accredited hospital. At the admissions desk, Carlo presented his PhilHealth ID and Miguel's birth certificate. The hospital verified Miguel's status as a registered dependent through PhilHealth's system. After 3 days of confinement, the total bill was P25,000. PhilHealth covered P16,000 under the case rate for the diagnosis, and Carlo only paid the remaining P9,000 out of pocket. Without PhilHealth, he would have shouldered the entire P25,000.
Summary of Carlo's Experience
Carlo's dependents are now fully covered under his PhilHealth membership. The entire process took less than an hour at the PhilHealth office.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dependents can I register under my PhilHealth membership?
You can register your legal spouse and all your qualified children (legitimate, illegitimate, or adopted) who are below 21 years old, unmarried, and unemployed. There is no maximum number of children you can register as long as they meet the eligibility requirements. If you have no spouse and no children, you may register both your parents (father and mother) as dependents instead. Children with permanent disability can be registered regardless of age. In practice, the number of dependents varies depending on your family situation.
Can I include my parents as PhilHealth dependents?
Yes, but only if you have no legal spouse AND no children (legitimate, illegitimate, or adopted). This is a strict requirement under PhilHealth rules. If you are single with no children, you may declare your parents as your dependents. However, once you get married or have a child, your parents will no longer qualify as your dependents and must obtain their own PhilHealth coverage. Senior citizens (60 years old and above) are automatically covered as PhilHealth members under the UHC Act, so your parents may already have their own PhilHealth membership.
What happens when my child turns 21 years old?
When a child dependent reaches 21 years of age, they are automatically removed from the member's dependent list and can no longer avail of PhilHealth benefits under the parent's membership. The child must then obtain their own PhilHealth membership -- either as an employed member (if working), a voluntary or individually paying member, or through other membership categories. The only exception is if the child has a permanent disability (physical or mental incapacity), in which case they may remain as a dependent regardless of age. A valid PWD ID or medical certificate must be submitted to PhilHealth to maintain the dependent status.
Can a common-law spouse be registered as a PhilHealth dependent?
No. Under current PhilHealth rules, only a legal spouse can be registered as a dependent. A common-law partner or live-in partner is not recognized as a qualified dependent because Philippine law requires a valid marriage (civil or church wedding) for the spousal relationship to be legally recognized. However, illegitimate children of the member (children born out of wedlock whose birth certificates show the member as a parent) can still be registered as dependents. If a common-law partner needs PhilHealth coverage, they should register as their own PhilHealth member (voluntary/individually paying member).
Do my dependents need to pay separate PhilHealth contributions?
No. Qualified dependents are covered under the principal member's PhilHealth membership and contributions at no additional cost. There is no separate premium or additional fee to register or maintain dependents. The member's regular PhilHealth premium already covers the member and all qualified dependents. However, the member must keep their contributions up to date for dependents to be able to avail of benefits. For employed members, the contribution requirement is at least 3 months of contributions within the last 6 months prior to confinement. For voluntary/self-paying members, it is at least 9 months within the last 12 months.
What about stepchildren? Can I register them as dependents?
Stepchildren are not automatically qualified as dependents under the stepparent's PhilHealth membership. However, there are two scenarios where a stepchild may be covered: (1) If the stepchild has been legally adopted by the member, they can be registered as an adopted child dependent with the proper court adoption papers; or (2) The stepchild can be registered as a dependent under their biological parent who is the member's spouse -- meaning the biological parent registers as a separate PhilHealth member and declares the child as their dependent. In practice, it is often simpler for the biological parent (if they are the member's spouse) to have their own PhilHealth membership and register the child under their account.
Can both husband and wife register the same child as a dependent?
No. A child can only be registered as a dependent under one PhilHealth member at a time. If both parents are PhilHealth members, they must agree on which parent will declare the child as a dependent. The child cannot be listed as a dependent under both parents simultaneously. However, couples can strategically split their children between their respective PhilHealth memberships to maximize the 45-day benefit limit per member per year if needed. Each member has a separate 45-day benefit period.
How do I update or remove a dependent from my PhilHealth record?
To update dependent information or remove a dependent (e.g., when a child turns 21, or in case of annulment or death of spouse), visit any PhilHealth LHIO and submit an updated PMRF reflecting the changes. Bring supporting documents as needed: death certificate (for deceased dependent), court annulment decree (for former spouse), or a simple written request for removal. The update is processed the same way as the initial registration and is also free of charge. It is important to keep your dependent records updated to avoid issues when availing of PhilHealth benefits.
Important Reminders
- Registration is FREE: Never pay anyone to register your dependents. PhilHealth does not charge any fee for dependent registration. Beware of fixers who may offer to process the registration for a fee.
- Keep your contributions updated: Your dependents can only avail of PhilHealth benefits if your premium contributions are current. Make sure you meet the minimum contribution requirements before your dependents need hospitalization.
- Use PSA-issued documents: Always use PSA-authenticated copies of birth certificates and marriage certificates when registering dependents. Local civil registry copies or church copies may not be accepted.
- Update records when family status changes: Report changes in family status to PhilHealth immediately -- marriage, birth of a child, death of a dependent, annulment, or a child turning 21. This ensures your records are accurate and prevents complications when claiming benefits.
- Each dependent can only be under one member: A spouse or child can only be listed as a dependent under one PhilHealth member. If both parents are members, decide who will declare which children to maximize benefits.
- Verify information at accredited hospitals: Before confinement, verify that the hospital or health facility is PhilHealth-accredited. Also verify that your membership is active and contributions are sufficient. This can save you time and prevent billing issues.
- Bring documents during hospitalization: When a dependent is hospitalized, bring the member's PhilHealth ID (or PIN), a valid ID, and the dependent's birth certificate or marriage certificate as proof of relationship. Hospitals may require these for PhilHealth claims processing.
- Senior citizen parents may have their own coverage: Under the UHC Act, all Filipino citizens aged 60 and above are automatically enrolled as PhilHealth members. If your parents are senior citizens, they likely have their own PhilHealth membership and do not need to be your dependents.
Need Help?
Contact PhilHealth
- PhilHealth Head Office: Citystate Centre, 709 Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City
- PhilHealth Action Center Hotline: (02) 8441-7442
- Trunkline: (02) 8441-7444
- Call Center: 0917-898-7442 (Smart) / 0998-857-7442 (Globe)
- Email: actioncenter@philhealth.gov.ph
- Website: www.philhealth.gov.ph
- Member Portal: memberinquiry.philhealth.gov.ph
- Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (no noon break)
Disclaimer
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only. The requirements, steps, fees, and procedures mentioned here may vary depending on the PhilHealth you visit. We recommend visiting your nearest PhilHealth first to confirm the specific requirements and process before preparing your documents.