If you're starting out in your adulting journey, you've probably been asked to apply for the trifecta of government social welfare services: SSS, PAGIBIG, and PhilHealth.
Contributions for the three are auto-deducted monthly for employees while freelancers, entrepreneurs, and self-employed individuals pay their own. And with the COVID-19 pandemic, interest in PhilHealth benefits has risen over the past year.
Most PhilHealth members are only asked to provide their membership number in most transactions but did you know that you can easily get a PhilHealth ID free of charge?
Aside from having an additional ID in your arsenal, a PhilHealth ID is useful too so you can easily check your PhilHealth ID number and prove your membership in transactions. Some drug stores even offer discounts for PhilHealth members.
Here are the steps on how you can get a PhilHealth ID:
1. For newly-hired and existing employees without a PhilHealth ID number
Before you can get a PhilHealth ID, you need to be a member first. Thanks to the Universal Healthcare Law, all Filipinos are now covered by PhilHealth.
Here's how to be a member for newly hired and existing employees
- Fill out two copies of the PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF).
- Submit PMRF to the HR Department of the employer
Once done, you just have to wait for your Member Data Record and PhilHealth ID card from your employer.
2. For unemployed, self-employed, and voluntary members
For unemployed and self-employed individuals, here are the PhilHealth ID requirements:
- Two accomplished copies of the PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF).
- Two latest 1×1 ID pictures
- At least two valid IDs or a photocopy of your birth certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority.
Once you have prepared your requirements, visit the nearest PhilHealth office and submit them. It will only take a few minutes to process your PhilHealth member data record and PhilHealth ID.
Make sure to double-check the information in your member data record and ID to avoid inconvenience in future transactions.
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