This is an independent guide, not the official PhilHealth website. For registrations, use philhealth.gov.ph.
Interactive Tool · Free · Updated for 2026

PhilHealth Membership Category Finder — Which Type Are You?

Not sure whether you're Employed, Self-Employed, Voluntary, OFW, Indigent or Senior Citizen? Answer four quick questions to find your exact membership category, contribution rate, required documents, and next steps — personalised for your situation.

Updated August 30, 2026 Editorially reviewed Based on RA 11223 & PhilHealth circulars
Find my category View all categories
About this tool

Why your PhilHealth membership category matters

Your PhilHealth membership category determines three things that directly affect your wallet and your coverage: how much you pay each month, who pays it (you alone or split with your employer), and whether you need to pay at all. Getting the category wrong can lead to overpayment, underpayment or a coverage gap when you need benefits most.

Under the Universal Health Care Act (RA 11223), PhilHealth classifies every member as either a Direct Contributor — employees, self-employed, voluntary members and OFWs who pay premiums — or an Indirect Contributor — indigent families, senior citizens and sponsored members whose premiums are covered by the government. There is also the Lifetime Member category for retirees who completed 120 monthly payments.

This free tool asks four quick questions about your employment, income, age and registration status, then tells you exactly which category you fall into, what your 2026 contribution rate is, how to register or update your PMRF, and which documents to prepare.

Membership category finder

Step 1 of 4 — takes about 45 seconds

Step 1 of 4
1. What is your current employment situation?

Pick the option that best describes you right now.

Please select one option to continue.
2. What is your approximate monthly income?

This helps estimate your contribution. You can skip if you prefer.

Please select one option or skip.
3. How old are you?

Members 60+ qualify for government-subsidised coverage under RA 10645.

Please select your age group.
4. Are you already registered with PhilHealth?

This determines whether you need to register or update an existing record.

Please select your registration status.

Your membership category

Based on your answers — educational guidance only. Verify at philhealth.gov.ph.

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Your category

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2026 contribution

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Documents to prepare

    How to register or update

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    Recommended next steps

      Helpful tips

        How this tool works

        1. Describe your employment. Select your current work status from options like employed, self-employed, OFW, senior citizen or unemployed.
        2. Indicate your income range. Choose your approximate monthly income bracket. This helps estimate contribution amounts.
        3. Confirm your age group. Select your age range. Members aged 60+ qualify for subsidised senior citizen coverage.
        4. Tell us your registration status. Let us know if you already have a PhilHealth number, need to register, or forgot your number.
        5. Get your category and action plan. The tool identifies your membership category and generates personalised next steps, contribution info, required documents and helpful tips.

        All PhilHealth membership categories (2026)

        Complete reference under RA 11223 and RA 10645.

        CategoryWho qualifiesWho paysRateFloorCeiling
        Direct Contributor — Employed Private and government employees 50/50 (employee + employer) 5% of basic salary ₱10,000 ₱100,000
        Direct Contributor — Self-Employed Business owners, professionals, freelancers Member pays 100% 5% of declared income ₱10,000 ₱100,000
        Direct Contributor — Voluntary Those not in formal economy who wish to be covered Member pays 100% 5% of declared income ₱10,000 ₱100,000
        Direct Contributor — OFW Land-based and sea-based overseas workers Member pays 100% 5% of declared income ₱10,000 ₱100,000
        Indirect Contributor — Indigent Families identified by DSWD as poor Government (national/LGU) Subsidised — —
        Indirect Contributor — Senior Citizen Filipinos aged 60+ (RA 10645) Government Subsidised — —
        Indirect Contributor — Sponsored Orphans, PWDs, battered women, etc. Government/sponsor Subsidised — —
        Lifetime Member Retirees with 120+ monthly contributions No further payment None — —

        Common membership mistakes

        Staying "Employed" after resignation

        When you leave your job, your employer stops remitting. If you do not update to Voluntary or Self-Employed within 6 months, your coverage may lapse. File a PMRF amendment immediately.

        Self-employed members declaring too low an income

        Your contribution is based on declared income. Declaring unrealistically low amounts can lead to benefit-claim disputes. The floor is ₱10,000 regardless.

        OFWs assuming their agency handles everything

        Many OFWs return home to find unpaid periods because the agency did not remit. Verify your contributions in the Member Portal after every payment cycle.

        Senior citizens not confirming their subsidised status

        RA 10645 entitles seniors to free coverage, but your record must reflect your correct birth date and active membership. Visit a branch if your portal still shows "inactive".

        Not updating after marriage or having children

        Your dependents are not automatically added. File a PMRF update with PSA marriage or birth certificates so they appear on your MDR and are covered.

        Pro tips for managing your membership

        • Check your category in the Member Portal at least once a year — especially after job changes.
        • Keep your PMRF amendment receipts for at least 3 years in case of discrepancies.
        • If you turn 60, verify your senior citizen subsidy is active — do not just assume it switched automatically.
        • OFWs: verify every payment cycle through the portal, not just through your agency.
        • Freelancers and gig workers: register as Self-Employed, not Voluntary, if you have regular income — it is the more accurate category.
        Related guides

        Registration, contributions, benefits, membership updates and more.

        Online Registration Walkthrough

        Get a PhilHealth number for the first time.

        Read guide

        PMRF Form Assistant

        Fill out or amend your membership form.

        Read guide

        Contribution Table 2026

        Full 5% rate schedule with examples.

        Read guide

        Member Portal Login Guide

        Access your MDR and check contributions.

        Read guide

        MDR Download Wizard

        Download your Member Data Record.

        Read guide

        OFW Membership Guide

        Rules for overseas Filipino workers.

        Read guide

        Senior Citizen Coverage

        Free PhilHealth for members 60+.

        Read guide

        Employer Guide: EPRS

        For HR — remittance and employee enrolment.

        Read guide

        Add Dependents

        Update your MDR with family members.

        Read guide

        Requirements Checker

        See which documents you need.

        Read guide

        Lost PhilHealth Number

        Recover a forgotten or misplaced PIN.

        Read guide

        Benefits & Coverage

        What PhilHealth covers in 2026.

        Read guide
        Questions & answers

        PhilHealth membership category FAQs

        12 answers covering every category, contribution rules and how to switch.

        How many PhilHealth membership categories are there in 2026?
        PhilHealth classifies members into two main groups: Direct Contributors (Employed, Self-Employed, Voluntary, OFW) who pay premiums themselves or through their employer, and Indirect Contributors (Indigent, Senior Citizen, Sponsored, Lifetime) whose premiums are subsidised by the government or no longer required.
        What category am I if I work for a private company?
        You are a Direct Contributor under the Employed category. Your employer remits your PhilHealth contribution, split 50/50 — 2.5% from your salary and 2.5% from the employer, based on your monthly basic salary.
        What if I am a freelancer or self-employed?
        You fall under Direct Contributor — Self-Employed. You declare your monthly income on the PMRF and pay the full 5% premium yourself through banks, e-wallets, or the PhilHealth portal. The salary floor is ₱10,000 and ceiling is ₱100,000.
        Do OFWs have a different membership category?
        OFWs are classified as Direct Contributors — OFW. The rate is the same 5% based on declared income, but collection and remittance rules differ. Land-based OFWs may pay through overseas collecting agents, and sea-based OFWs through their manning agency.
        Are senior citizens required to pay PhilHealth contributions?
        No. Under Republic Act 10645, Filipino citizens aged 60 and older are automatically covered as Indirect Contributors with premiums subsidised by the government. They receive full benefits without paying.
        What is a Lifetime Member?
        A Lifetime Member is a retiree who has made at least 120 monthly premium contributions during their working years. They no longer need to pay premiums and remain covered for life.
        What happens to my category if I resign from my job?
        Your employer stops remitting contributions when you leave. You must update your membership to either Self-Employed or Voluntary by filing a PMRF amendment. If you do nothing, your coverage may lapse after 6 months of non-payment.
        Can I be in more than one category at the same time?
        No. Each member has exactly one active category at any given time. If your circumstances change, you must update your PMRF so PhilHealth reflects the correct category.
        What is the difference between Voluntary and Self-Employed?
        Self-Employed members have a business, profession or regular freelance income. Voluntary members do not have regular income but choose to maintain active PhilHealth coverage. Both pay the full 5% premium themselves.
        How do I change my PhilHealth membership category?
        File a PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF) with the "Updating/Amendment" box ticked. Indicate your new category and submit it through the Member Portal or at any PhilHealth branch with supporting documents.
        What category applies to a kasambahay (domestic worker)?
        Kasambahay are classified under the Employed category. Under the Kasambahay Law (RA 10361), their employer must register them with PhilHealth and share the contribution cost.
        Does this tool register me with PhilHealth?
        No. PhilHealth-Portal.ph is an independent educational website. This tool identifies which membership category fits your situation and tells you what to do next. Actual registration happens at philhealth.gov.ph or a PhilHealth branch.

        Independent resource disclaimer

        PhilHealth-Portal.ph is an independent, educational website. This tool identifies your likely membership category based on your answers. It does not register you, process payments or access PhilHealth systems. For official registration and the most current rules, use philhealth.gov.ph or visit any PhilHealth branch.

        Know your category now?

        Register or update using the PMRF Form Assistant, or check your contribution with the calculator.

        PMRF Form Assistant Contribution Calculator