Philhealth Yakap Clinics

Oct 2026 update: how to transfer to your preferred YAKAP clinic

Updated October 26, 2026. On October 24, 2026, PhilHealth announced that members can now transfer to the YAKAP clinic they prefer. This was reported by GMA News and Daily Tribune. If you already had your First Patient Encounter (FPE) at your current clinic, you can file a transfer during the fourth quarter, October 1 to December 31, 2026. An approved transfer takes effect on January 1, 2027. If you have not had your FPE yet, you can transfer at any time, and the change takes effect right away once it is processed.

What changed in the latest announcement: According to the same reports, PhilHealth now asks members to use the Primary Care Selection Form (PCSF) in place of the old PhilHealth Konsulta Registration Form (PKRF). It also asks for valid IDs from both the member and any authorized representative. The quarterly window itself is not new. It is the standing rule under PhilHealth Circular No. 2025-0017 and PhilHealth Advisory No. 2025-0065.

Who can transfer?

• Any PhilHealth member or qualified dependent who is eligible for benefits under the National Health Insurance Program (PhilHealth Circular 2025-0017).
• Beneficiaries aged 18 and above can transact on their own. A parent or guardian transacts for a minor.
• No FPE yet: you can transfer anytime, and it takes effect once processed.
• FPE already done: file only from October to December. The new clinic takes effect on January 1 of the following year.
• Exceptions before October: PhilHealth Circular 2025-0017 allows a transfer before the fourth quarter if your clinic closes, if its accreditation is revoked, suspended or withdrawn, or if the DOH issues it a cease-and-desist order.

The First Patient Encounter is your first contact with your YAKAP clinic for the year. During this visit the clinic records or updates your basic health information. Under PhilHealth Circular 2025-0017, it is not the same as a medical consultation.

Step by step: how to request a YAKAP clinic transfer

1. Pick your new clinic. Choose a PhilHealth-accredited YAKAP clinic that is convenient for you. Before filing, confirm with PhilHealth or the clinic that it is accredited and accepting beneficiaries.
2. Go to any PhilHealth Local Health Insurance Office (LHIO) and say that you want to transfer your YAKAP clinic.
3. Complete member verification. PhilHealth will verify you through the PhilHealth Check Utility (PCU), which includes a liveness check (PA 2025-0065).
4. If PCU verification can’t be completed (for example, your PhilSys record is not finalized), present one valid government-issued ID or other accepted documents, plus a filled-out Primary Care Selection Form (PCSF).
5. Sending a representative? Give them an authorization letter. Both of you should bring valid IDs.
6. Wait for the confirmation email. PhilHealth will email you to confirm your new YAKAP clinic. Check the effective date. If you had your FPE, keep using your current clinic until January 1, 2027.

Under PhilHealth Circular 2025-0017, transfers are processed at PhilHealth LHIOs for now. PhilHealth plans to add transfers to its online and assisted clinic-selection platforms once all YAKAP clinics are fully onboarded digitally. Those platforms will then become the main way to transfer. Until PhilHealth announces that online transfers are open, file at an LHIO.

What YAKAP covers

According to GMA News, YAKAP members get free consultations, 13 free laboratory procedures and 75 free medicines. Four cancer screenings were added this year: breast, liver, lung and colorectal. For the full list, see our YAKAP benefits guide.

FAQ: PhilHealth YAKAP clinic transfer

Can I transfer my YAKAP clinic online?
Not yet. Under PhilHealth Circular 2025-0017, transfers are processed at LHIOs for now. PhilHealth plans to add transfers to its online selection platforms once all clinics are fully onboarded digitally.

I filed in November. When can I use my new clinic?
If you already had your First Patient Encounter, the new clinic takes effect on January 1, 2027. If you had no FPE yet, the transfer takes effect once processed.

What form do I need: PKRF or PCSF?
PhilHealth’s latest announcement uses the Primary Care Selection Form (PCSF). It replaces the older PhilHealth Konsulta Registration Form (PKRF).

What if I miss the October–December window?
If you had your FPE, you will generally have to wait for the next fourth-quarter window. Exceptions apply if your clinic closes, loses its accreditation, or receives a DOH cease-and-desist order.

Can someone else file for me?
Yes. An authorized representative can file with an authorization letter. Both of you should present valid IDs.

Is there a fee to transfer?
The PhilHealth documents we reviewed do not mention any transfer fee. If anyone asks you to pay, confirm with PhilHealth first.

Where can I ask for help?
Call the PhilHealth Action Center at (02) 8662-2588 or visit your nearest LHIO.

Sources: PhilHealth Advisory No. 2025-0065 (YAKAP clinic transfer guidelines); PhilHealth Circular No. 2025-0017 (selection and empanelment for the primary care benefit); PhilHealth TS PC-2026-0011; GMA News, Oct. 25, 2026; Daily Tribune, Oct. 24, 2026.