In the Philippine social health insurance system, the timely and accurate posting of contributions is more than a clerical necessity—it is a legal prerequisite for the availment of benefits. Under Republic Act No. 11223, otherwise known as the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act, all Filipino citizens are automatically enrolled in the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP). However, "unposted" contributions—payments made by an employee or employer that do not appear in the PhilHealth database—can lead to the denial of claims at the point of hospitalization.

This article outlines the legal framework and practical steps for members to secure their records.

I. The Duty to Remit and Report

Under the law, the responsibility for PhilHealth contributions varies by membership type:

Formal Economy (Employees): The employer is legally mandated to deduct the employee's share and remit it, along with the employer's share, to PhilHealth. Crucially, the employer must also submit a Monthly Contribution List (R-1 equivalent). Failure to do both results in "unposted" payments.
Informal Economy/Self-Employed: The member is personally responsible for both payment and ensuring their records are updated via accredited collecting agents.

Legal Note: Under the UHC Act, failure of an employer to remit contributions is a criminal offense punishable by fines and imprisonment. Furthermore, the law explicitly states that a member’s "failure to pay premiums shall not prevent [them] from enjoying any Program benefits," provided that the employer shall be liable for the unpaid premiums plus interest.

II. How to Check Your Contribution Records

To avoid surprises during a medical emergency, members should periodically verify their records through these channels:

PhilHealth Member Portal: Register for an account on the official PhilHealth website. The "Member Statistics" or "Contribution" section provides a real-time view of posted premiums.
PhilHealth Personal Edit Member Data Record (PMRF): You may visit any PhilHealth Local Health Insurance Office (LHIO) or PhilHealth Express outlet in malls to request a printed Member Data Record (MDR).
Corporate HR: For employees, your payslips serve as primary evidence of deduction. You have the right to request a summary of remittances from your employer’s HR or Accounting department.

III. The Problem: Why are Contributions "Unposted"?

A contribution is often "unposted" not because it wasn't paid, but because of:

Missing RF-1 Forms: The employer paid the lump sum but failed to submit the breakdown of which employees the payment belongs to.
Discrepancies in Data: Mismatched names or PhilHealth Identification Numbers (PIN) between the payment slip and the member database.
System Lag: Delays in the synchronization between accredited banks/collecting agents and PhilHealth’s central server.

IV. How to Report and Correct Records

If you discover gaps in your contribution history despite having paid (or having been deducted), follow this legal and administrative process:

1. Gather Documentary Evidence

You must possess the following "proof of payment":

For Employees: Certified true copies of payslips showing PhilHealth deductions or a Certificate of Premium Payments issued by the employer.
For Voluntary Members: Original receipts from PhilHealth or accredited collecting agents (e.g., Bayad Center, 7-Eleven, Banks).

2. Request for Rectification (Employer Level)

If the error lies with the employer, formally request the HR department to file an Adjustment of Premium Contributions. The employer must submit the validated Premium Payment Slip (PPS) and the corresponding Monthly Remittance Report to the LHIO.

3. Direct Reporting to PhilHealth

If the employer is non-compliant or defunct, or if you are a voluntary member, visit an LHIO and:

Submit a Member Data Amendment Form (PMRAF).
Attach the proof of payment mentioned above.
Request a "Manual Posting" of the missing months.

4. Filing a Formal Complaint

If an employer refuses to remit deducted contributions, you may file a complaint with the PhilHealth Legal Department or the Prosecution Department.

V. Legal Consequences of Non-Posting

For the Member: While the UHC Act aims for "immediate eligibility," unposted records often require the member to pay the hospital bill upfront and seek reimbursement later, which can be a significant financial burden.
For the Employer: Under Section 38 of RA 7875 (as amended), employers who fail or refuse to deduct and remit contributions shall be penalized with a fine of P5,000 to P50,000 per affected employee and imprisonment of 6 months to 20 years.

Summary Checklist for Members

Action	Frequency	Purpose
Verify	Quarterly	Check Portal for "Posted" status.
Collect	Monthly	Save payslips/receipts as legal evidence.
Reconcile	Annually	Request an updated MDR from PhilHealth.

Would you like me to draft a formal demand letter that you can send to an employer regarding unposted or unremitted contributions?