How to Add or Update Your PhilHealth Dependents (Beneficiaries) [2026]

Quick Answer: Adding or updating PhilHealth dependents in 2026 is free. Fill out the PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF), tick the "For Updating" box, attach the required PSA documents for each dependent, and submit it to any Local Health Insurance Office (LHIO) in person — or email/upload it to your regional office. Qualified dependents are: your legal spouse (non-member), children under 21 (unmarried and unemployed), children 21+ with a permanent disability, and parents 60 and above who are not active members. Once approved, your dependents appear on your Member Data Record (MDR) and automatically share your PhilHealth coverage — no separate contributions required. Walk-in updates are often done the same day; emailed updates typically take a few working days.

PhilHealth is built around the household, not just the individual. When you pay your monthly contribution, you are not only covering yourself — your qualified dependents are entitled to the same benefits. But that only works if they are actually declared and recorded on your Member Data Record. Plenty of Filipinos discover at the hospital admitting desk that a spouse, child, or elderly parent was never added, and the coverage they assumed was there isn't.

This guide walks through exactly who qualifies as a dependent, the documents you need for each, and the two ways to add or update them in 2026 — online (portal + email) and in person (PMRF at an LHIO). For the full picture of what your membership actually pays for, start with our PhilHealth benefits and coverage guide.

Table of Contents

• Who Qualifies as a PhilHealth Dependent
• What Is the Member Data Record (MDR)?
• Documents Required Per Dependent Type
• How to Add Dependents Online (Portal + Email)
• How to Add Dependents In Person (PMRF at an LHIO)
• How to Update or Change Dependents
• When a Dependent Ages Out or Status Changes
• How Dependents Share Your Benefits
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Who Qualifies as a PhilHealth Dependent

Under the Universal Health Care Act, you can declare the following people as dependents on your record without paying any extra premium — your single contribution covers the whole qualified household:

• Legal spouse — your husband or wife by a valid marriage. The spouse must not already be an active PhilHealth member in their own right. Live-in or common-law partners do not qualify; only a legally registered marriage counts.
• Children below 21 — unmarried and unemployed, whether legitimate, illegitimate, legitimated, adopted, or stepchildren. Each child is recognized as a dependent until they turn 21.
• Children 21 and above with a disability — sons or daughters of any age who are physically or mentally disabled (a PWD) and totally dependent on you for support. This requires a supporting medical certificate.
• Parents 60 and above — your biological or adoptive parents who are at least 60 years old and are not active PhilHealth members themselves. (Parents who are permanently disabled may also qualify regardless of age, with a medical certificate.)
• Foster children — children under your care through a DSWD foster placement, supported by the proper court or DSWD documents.

The key principle: a person can only be someone's dependent if they are not a member themselves. If your spouse or elderly parent already has their own active PhilHealth membership, they are covered on their own record and do not need to be declared under you.

What Is the Member Data Record (MDR)?

The Member Data Record (MDR) is your official PhilHealth profile. It's the system-generated document that lists your PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN), your personal details, your membership category, and — crucially — all of your declared dependents.

The MDR is the document hospitals ask for when you (or a dependent) get admitted, because it proves who is covered under your membership. If a dependent's name is not on your MDR, the hospital cannot apply your PhilHealth benefit to them, even if you've been paying contributions for years.

You can download your latest MDR for free from the PhilHealth Member Portal:

1. Go to the Member Portal (memberinquiry.philhealth.gov.ph).
2. Log in with your 12-digit PhilHealth number and password.
3. Click "Print MDR".
4. Download or print the PDF.

After you add a new dependent, always pull a fresh MDR to confirm the name now appears — that's your proof the update went through.

Documents Required Per Dependent Type

Every dependent update uses the same base form — the PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF) with the "For Updating" box ticked — plus proof of your relationship to the dependent. Bring the original plus photocopies (two copies is the safe default), and use PSA-issued civil registry documents wherever possible.

There is no fee for any of these. Anyone who asks you to pay to "add a dependent" is mistaken — updating member data is a free PhilHealth service.

How to Add Dependents Online (Portal + Email)

In 2026, PhilHealth's online channel is best for downloading your MDR and getting the form — and many regional offices now accept the completed PMRF and supporting documents by email or online upload instead of a physical visit. The exact channel varies by region, so always confirm with your own PhilHealth Regional Office or Action Center first.

1. Download the PMRF. Get the current PMRF from the Downloads section of the PhilHealth website (philhealth.gov.ph/downloads).
2. Tick "For Updating." On the upper-right of the form, mark the "For Updating / Amendment" box (not "For Registration"). Enter your existing PhilHealth number so they amend your record rather than create a new one.
3. Fill in the dependent section. Add the dependent's full name, relationship, date of birth, and other details exactly as they appear on the PSA document.
4. Scan your documents. Scan or photograph the completed PMRF together with the required proof (PSA Marriage/Birth Certificate, medical certificate, valid IDs) — clear, complete pages.
5. Email or upload to your regional office. Send everything to your regional PhilHealth Action Center email (or the office's designated online submission channel). Use a clear subject line such as "PMRF – Add Dependent – [Your PhilHealth No.]".
6. Wait for confirmation, then re-download your MDR. Emailed updates typically take a few working days depending on office volume. Once processed, log back into the Member Portal and print your updated MDR to confirm the dependent now appears.

If your region doesn't yet offer email/online submission for amendments, use the in-person route below — it's usually faster anyway.

How to Add Dependents In Person (PMRF at an LHIO)

Walking into a Local Health Insurance Office (LHIO) is the most reliable route and is often completed the same day.

1. Get a PMRF. Pick one up at the LHIO front desk, or download and print it beforehand from philhealth.gov.ph/downloads.
2. Tick "For Updating." Mark the "For Updating / Amendment" box and write in your existing PhilHealth number.
3. Complete the dependent details. Fill in each dependent's information in the dependents section, matching the PSA records exactly.
4. Attach your supporting documents. Bring the original plus two photocopies of each required document from the table above (PSA Marriage/Birth Certificate, medical certificate for PWD dependents, valid IDs).
5. Submit at the LHIO. Hand the PMRF and attachments to the membership/records window. Processing a single form usually takes only around 10 minutes once you reach the counter.
6. Get your updated MDR. The office will print your updated Member Data Record showing the new dependent. Keep this — it's the proof you'll present at hospital admission.

Tip: secure the PSA copies before your visit (via PSA Serbilis or a PSA outlet). Missing or non-PSA civil documents are the most common reason an update gets bounced.

How to Update or Change Dependents

The same PMRF "For Updating" process handles changes, not just additions:

• Removing a dependent — e.g., a spouse who becomes an active member in their own right, or a dependent who passes away. Declare the change on the PMRF so your record stays accurate.
• Correcting a dependent's details — fixing a misspelled name or a wrong birth date. Attach the PSA document that shows the correct information.
• Civil status changes — getting married (add a spouse) or other family changes. Marriage requires the PSA Marriage Certificate.
• Adding a newborn — declare the child as soon as you have the PSA Birth Certificate, so the baby is covered from the start. Don't wait until you need it at a hospital.

Whenever you make a change, re-download your MDR afterward to verify it took effect.

When a Dependent Ages Out or Status Changes

Dependent status isn't permanent — it follows the person's circumstances:

• A child turns 21 — a regular child automatically stops being a qualified dependent at age 21. To keep coverage going, they would need to either enroll as their own PhilHealth member (the usual path once they start working) or, if they have a permanent disability and remain totally dependent on you, be re-declared as a dependent with disability using a current medical certificate.
• A child marries or starts working before 21 — they no longer meet the "unmarried and unemployed" condition and should enroll as their own member.
• A spouse becomes an active member — once your spouse has their own active membership, they're covered on their own record and no longer need to sit on yours.
• A parent becomes an active member — same principle; a parent with their own active membership is covered independently.

The practical takeaway: review your declared dependents once a year. An out-of-date MDR is the kind of thing you only notice at the worst possible moment — during an admission.

How Dependents Share Your Benefits

Once recorded on your MDR, dependents draw from the same PhilHealth benefits as you, the principal member — there's no separate premium and no separate enrollment. When a qualified dependent is admitted to a PhilHealth-accredited hospital, the applicable case rate is deducted from their bill under your membership, exactly as it would be for you.

A few things worth knowing:

• No more 45-day cap. PhilHealth removed the old shared 45-day annual confinement limit; most admissions now fall under All Case Rates without that yearly ceiling, for members and dependents alike.
• The benefit is the case rate, not a blank check. A dependent's admission is covered up to the fixed case rate for that diagnosis or procedure — the same as for the member. Any cost beyond the case rate is shouldered out of pocket (or by an HMO, if you have one).
• Keep contributions current. Dependent coverage rides on your active membership. Lapsed contributions can stall a claim at admission. See the PhilHealth contribution table to confirm what you should be paying.

When a dependent is admitted, the hospital files the claim the same way it does for members. For the full step-by-step — forms, deadlines, and how reimbursement works — see our guide on how to file a PhilHealth claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I add a dependent to my PhilHealth?

Fill out the PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF) and tick the "For Updating" box in the upper-right corner. Write in your existing PhilHealth number, enter the dependent's details, and attach the required PSA document — a Marriage Certificate for a spouse, a Birth Certificate for a child, or your own Birth Certificate plus the parent's ID for a parent aged 60+. Submit it at any Local Health Insurance Office (LHIO) in person, or email/upload it to your regional PhilHealth office where that's offered. It's free, and walk-in updates are often finished the same day. Afterward, download a fresh MDR to confirm the dependent is listed.

Is there a fee to add or update PhilHealth dependents?

No. Adding, updating, or correcting dependents on your record is a free PhilHealth service. The only cost you might incur is for obtaining your PSA documents (marriage certificate, birth certificate) and photocopies — PhilHealth itself charges nothing for the amendment.

Can I add my parents as PhilHealth dependents?

Yes, if they are 60 years old or above and are not active PhilHealth members themselves. You'll need the PMRF (For Updating), your own PSA Birth Certificate (to prove the parent-child relationship), and your parent's valid ID showing their age. Parents with a permanent disability may qualify at any age with a supporting medical certificate.

What happens to my child's PhilHealth coverage when they turn 21?

A regular child stops being a qualified dependent at 21. From that point they should enroll as their own PhilHealth member (typically as an employed or self-paying member). The exception is a child with a permanent disability who remains totally dependent on you — they can stay covered as a dependent with disability with a current medical certificate.

Do I pay extra contributions for each dependent?

No. Your single monthly contribution covers all your qualified dependents. There is no per-dependent premium. The only requirement is that your contributions stay active and up to date, since dependent coverage rides on your membership status.

How do I check who my current PhilHealth dependents are?

Log in to the PhilHealth Member Portal (memberinquiry.philhealth.gov.ph) with your 12-digit PhilHealth number and click "Print MDR." Your Member Data Record lists every declared dependent. You can also request a printed MDR at any LHIO.

Can I add a live-in partner or common-law spouse?

No. PhilHealth only recognizes a legally married spouse as a dependent, proven by a PSA Marriage Certificate. Live-in or common-law partners do not qualify. If your partner needs coverage, the right path is for them to enroll as their own PhilHealth member.

How long does it take to add a dependent?

In person at an LHIO, a single PMRF is usually processed in about 10 minutes at the counter and your updated MDR is printed the same day. Emailed or online submissions typically take a few working days, depending on the office's volume.

Conclusion

Declaring your dependents is one of the highest-value, lowest-effort things you can do with your PhilHealth membership — it's free, takes one form, and it's the difference between coverage being there or not when your spouse, child, or parent is admitted. The recipe is simple: complete the PMRF (For Updating), attach the right PSA documents, submit it at an LHIO or by email, then pull a fresh MDR to confirm everyone is listed. Review your dependents once a year so an aged-out child or a status change never catches you off guard at the admitting desk.

For more on making the most of your membership, see our complete PhilHealth benefits and coverage guide, learn how to file a PhilHealth claim for yourself or a dependent, and check the current PhilHealth contribution table to keep your coverage active.

Need a PhilHealth-accredited facility for you or a dependent? Find a clinic on ClinicFinderPH to compare locations, services, and accreditation near you.