Kenyans will no longer access healthcare services through the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) after September 30, 2024, as the government transitions to the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
In a statement on Sunday, NHIF CEO Elijah Wachira announced that SHIF benefits will take effect on October 1, 2024, and will be managed by the Social Health Authority (SHA). Payments made by October 9 will still be credited to NHIF, while payments made after that will be transferred to SHA.
Employers have been advised to register their employees before October 1 using the SHA employer portal at https://sha.go.ke/. Employers will need to create an account, verify it, and input their employees’ details to complete the registration with SHA. Contributions, set at 2.75% of an employee’s monthly salary, will then be directed to SHIF.
On August 30, the Ministry of Health released new tariffs under the Social Health Insurance Act (SHIA) for the benefits package. Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa confirmed that the Linda Mama program for expectant mothers will be incorporated and enhanced to continue reducing maternal mortality rates in Kenya.
Cancer patients will receive up to Ksh.400,000 for various oncological services, while normal deliveries will be covered up to Ksh.10,000, and C-sections up to Ksh.30,000. Financing for indigent pregnant mothers has been prioritized to address the rising maternal mortality rate.
For outpatient services, patients with diabetes treated in Level 4 to 6 facilities will receive coverage of up to Ksh.4,300, those with hypertension Ksh.2,850, and those with sickle cell anemia Ksh.6,800 annually.
Inpatient services in Level 4 to 6 hospitals, with a limit of admission of up to 180 days per household, shall charge a tariff of Ksh.3,360 in Level 4, Ksh.3,920 in Level 5, and Ksh.4,480 in Level 6.
Tariffs for the management of kidney failure in Level 3-6 facilities will range from Ksh.10,650 for hemodialysis and hemodiafiltration services per session and a Ksh.85,200 monthly fee for peritoneal dialysis.
