Employed persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the Philippines may no longer need to pay their share of monthly PhilHealth premiums under newly issued government guidelines.
PhilHealth Circular No. 2026-0017, published on October 9, 2026, provides updated rules for implementing the mandatory health insurance coverage of PWDs under Republic Act No. 11228.
Under the policy, the national government will cover the employee’s premium share, while employers will continue paying their required contribution.
However, qualified employees must complete the registration and verification process before the exemption is applied.
PhilHealth Premiums Will Be Shared by Employers and Government
Regular employed PhilHealth members generally split their monthly premiums equally with their employers.
For qualified PWD employees, the new guidelines transfer the employee’s share to the national government.
This means eligible workers will no longer need to shoulder their portion through salary deductions once the required processing is completed.
The policy applies to qualified PWDs employed in the government and private sectors.
Employers remain responsible for their half of the contribution.
Self-Employed PWDs Also Covered by the Policy
PWDs without an employer may also qualify for fully government-funded PhilHealth coverage.
These include self-employed individuals, professionals, overseas Filipino workers, and other direct contributors whose disability status has been verified.
PhilHealth will classify qualified members as indirect contributors, meaning their required premiums will be covered by the government.
For more information about other disability-related assistance, read our guide to benefits and privileges for persons with disabilities.
Documents Required to Stop PhilHealth Deductions
Employed PWDs must submit the required documents to their employer or PhilHealth.
These include:
- Completed PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF).
- Photocopy of a valid PWD identification card.
- Employer Certification confirming the employee’s eligibility.
Employers may coordinate with their PhilHealth Employers’ Engagement Representative or the nearest Local Health Insurance Office.
The subsidy for employed PWDs begins in the month the complete requirements are submitted, subject to the applicable verification rules.
Those who still need a disability identification card may consult our PWD ID application and benefits guide.
What Happens If Your PWD Status Is Not Yet Verified?
PhilHealth will check disability records against the Philippine Registry of Persons with Disability.
Members whose status cannot yet be confirmed may be tagged as “For Verification.”
While waiting, they will remain under their existing contribution category and continue paying the applicable premiums.
However, they remain entitled to PhilHealth benefits under existing coverage rules.
The government is also preparing to use the Unified Persons with Disabilities ID System for future verification.
What PWD Workers Should Do Next
PWD employees should contact their human resources or payroll department to ask about updating their PhilHealth membership records.
They should also confirm whether their information appears in the official PWD registry.
Those without employment should visit the nearest PhilHealth office to check their eligibility and registration status.
For official updates, visit PhilHealth’s website or contact its hotline at (02) 8662-2588.
The exemption is intended to reduce healthcare contribution costs for qualified PWDs, but members should complete the required verification before expecting changes to their salary deductions.