PhilHealth Premiums Now Free for Qualified Employed Solo Parents

Qualified employed solo parents may no longer have to pay any share of their PhilHealth premiums under new guidelines issued by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.

PhilHealth has issued PhilHealth Circular No. 2026-0015, which sets updated rules on the registration, premium contributions, and benefits of Filipino solo parents and their qualified children or dependents under the National Health Insurance Program.

The circular implements provisions of Republic Act No. 11861, or the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act, which provides automatic National Health Insurance Program coverage for qualified solo parents.

Employed Solo Parents May Pay Zero PhilHealth Premium Share

One of the most important provisions of the circular applies to solo parents who are employed in the formal economy.

For qualified employed solo parents, the PhilHealth premium contribution will be shared as follows:

• 50% paid by the employer
• 50% paid by the National Government
• 0% paid by the qualified solo parent employee

This means that once the solo parent is properly registered and qualified under the program, the employee’s usual share in the PhilHealth premium should no longer be deducted from their salary.

The arrangement applies specifically to qualified solo parents in the formal economy and is subject to PhilHealth’s registration and verification requirements.

Who Can Qualify?

The guidelines apply to Filipino solo parents who are registered with the appropriate Solo Parent Office or Solo Parent Division of their city, municipality, or province.

Qualified children or dependents may also be covered. Under the circular, a dependent is generally a child who:

• lives with and is dependent on the solo parent for support;
• is unmarried;
• is unemployed; and
• is 22 years old or below.

A dependent who is more than 22 years old may still qualify if the person is unable to fully take care of or protect himself or herself because of a physical or mental disability or condition.

A Valid Solo Parent ID Is Important

To be registered or tagged by PhilHealth under the Indirect Contributor – Solo Parent classification, the solo parent must have a valid Solo Parent Identification Card or SPIC.

The SPIC is issued by the appropriate Solo Parent Office or Solo Parent Division after the applicant’s eligibility has been verified.

Solo parents should make sure that their Solo Parent ID remains valid and is renewed before it expires.

What Employed Solo Parents Need to Do

Solo parents working in the formal economy are required to update their PhilHealth membership information.

They may need to submit the following to their employer’s Human Resources Department:

• a duly accomplished PhilHealth Member Registration Form or PMRF;
• a copy of the front and back of their valid Solo Parent Identification Card; and
• a record from the Solo Parent ID System or SPIS, once the system becomes available.

The employer will then prepare the necessary certification and coordinate the updating of the employee’s PhilHealth membership.

The requirements may be submitted to PhilHealth through the employer’s authorized representative. The solo parent may also personally submit the necessary documents through the appropriate PhilHealth office or available PhilHealth channels.

What If the Solo Parent ID Expires?

The circular requires solo parents to keep their PhilHealth records updated whenever their Solo Parent ID is renewed.

If the SPIC expires and PhilHealth does not receive proof of renewal, the member may automatically revert to the applicable PhilHealth membership classification.

The special privileges connected with the solo parent classification may also stop until the member submits a renewed Solo Parent ID and updates his or her PhilHealth records.

PhilHealth may notify affected members through SMS or other available communication channels.

Solo Parents May Also Register Directly With PhilHealth

For walk-in registration, a solo parent may visit the nearest PhilHealth Local Health Insurance Office and submit the required documents.

These may include:

• a duly accomplished PMRF;
• a printed copy of the front and back of the valid Solo Parent ID; and
• a printed record from the Solo Parent ID System once available.

Until a revised PMRF is released, applicants may be instructed to indicate Solo Parent as the appropriate subtype and provide their SPIC number.

After processing, PhilHealth may issue an updated Member Data Record reflecting the member’s updated classification.

Automatic Registration Through the Solo Parent Database

The circular also allows PhilHealth to use the centralized Solo Parent ID System or SPIS maintained by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, as well as relevant databases maintained by local social welfare offices.

This is intended to allow qualified solo parents and their dependents to be automatically enrolled or properly classified under the National Health Insurance Program once the necessary systems are fully operational.

Local Solo Parent Offices and Divisions are expected to regularly update and transmit their records to the centralized system.

What If a Solo Parent Is Not Yet in the Database?

A person who is not yet listed in the centralized Solo Parent ID System or who cannot present a valid Solo Parent ID may not immediately be classified under PhilHealth’s solo parent category.

Depending on the person’s circumstances, PhilHealth may initially register the member under another applicable membership classification.

Solo parents who want to avail themselves of the benefits specifically provided under the solo parent category should first make sure that they have a valid Solo Parent ID and that their records are properly updated.

What PhilHealth Benefits Are Available?

Registered solo parents and their qualified dependents are entitled to PhilHealth benefits subject to existing eligibility, validation, and benefit rules.

The circular also provides for access to applicable PhilHealth programs, including YAKAP and GAMOT benefits, subject to PhilHealth’s existing guidelines.

Qualified solo parents and their dependents may also be covered by applicable No Co-payment or No Balance Billing policies.

Members may select an accredited PhilHealth YAKAP provider and undergo the required First Patient Encounter, subject to PhilHealth’s rules on provider selection, transfer, and benefit utilization.

What About Solo Parents Who Are Also Senior Citizens, PWDs or Indigent Members?

Solo parents who are already classified under another government-subsidized PhilHealth category, such as senior citizens, persons with disabilities, or indigent members, may retain their existing PhilHealth classification.

Their solo parent information, including their SPIC number and validity period, may instead be added to their PhilHealth records.

This is also important in ensuring that qualified children or dependents are properly reflected in the member’s records.

Employers Also Have Responsibilities

Employers are expected to coordinate with PhilHealth in verifying eligible solo parent employees and properly applying the employer-government premium sharing arrangement.

PhilHealth membership offices may review lists of valid Solo Parent ID holders provided by local social welfare offices and inform employers once an employee’s solo parent status has been verified.

Employers and their HR or payroll departments should therefore ensure that eligible solo parent employees are properly registered and that the correct premium arrangement is applied.

What Solo Parents Should Do Now

Qualified solo parents, particularly those who are currently employed, should check whether their PhilHealth and Solo Parent ID records are updated.

They should:

• secure a valid Solo Parent Identification Card;
• renew the card before it expires;
• update their PhilHealth membership information;
• inform their employer or HR department of their qualified solo parent status;
• make sure their eligible children or dependents are properly listed; and
• keep copies of their SPIC, PMRF, Member Data Record, and other supporting documents.

Solo parents who are unsure whether the new premium arrangement has already been applied to them may also check with their employer’s HR department or directly with PhilHealth.

False Information May Result in Penalties

The circular also warns against the use of fraudulent Solo Parent IDs or the submission of false or misleading information to obtain government subsidies or PhilHealth benefits.

Violations may result in administrative, civil, or criminal liability under applicable laws and regulations.

When Does the New PhilHealth Circular Take Effect?

PhilHealth Circular No. 2026-0015 states that it will take effect upon publication in a newspaper of general circulation or in the Official Gazette.

For qualified employed solo parents, the circular is particularly significant because it implements the arrangement under the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act where the employer and the National Government each shoulder 50% of the PhilHealth premium, leaving the qualified solo parent employee with no premium share to pay.

Sources

• Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, PhilHealth Circular No. 2026-0015
• Republic Act No. 11861, Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act