The government has kicked off a verification exercise against National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) assets and liabilities in preparation for the transition to the Social Health Authority (SHA).
On Monday, May 13, 2024, the Cabinet Secretary for Health Susan Nakhumicha led discussions with the transition committee, steering the transition from NHIF to SHA.
SHA, set to replace NHIF, was established under section 25 of the Social Health Insurance Act 2023 and is utilized to pool all contributions made under the Act.
“SHA is designed to provide healthcare services from empaneled and contracted healthcare providers and healthcare facilities on referral from primary health facilities. The Social Health Authority ensures that every resident in Kenya can access a comprehensive range of quality health services they need without the burden of financial hardship,” the government says on SHA website.
Every person resident in Kenya is required to apply for registration to the authority as a member of the Social Health Authority within 90 days of the coming into force of the SHA regulations.
“The application must be accompanied by a copy of the national identification document or any other approved document, and for children without identification, documentation provided by the state department responsible for social protection,” the statement adds.
SHA timelines
Speaking in March, Nakhumicha said the Ministry of Health has finalized regulations to operationalize the Social Health Insurance Fund.
She said the regulations will set in motion the process of effecting the 2.75% deductions starting March 2024, adding that Kenyans will start benefitting from the new scheme from July 1, 2024.
Nakhumicha added that the three-month window will allow the ministry to put in place the necessary instruments to actualize the scheme.
“Our projection is that we need three months to prepare ourselves. We need a digital system to do the registration and test it ahead of the official rollout on 1st July,” she said.
The government says SHA covers integrated preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative health services at level 4, 5, and 6 health facilities.
“This includes emergency services, critical care services beyond the benefits in the essential healthcare benefits package, treatment and management of chronic illnesses beyond the benefits in the essential healthcare benefits package of the Social Health Authority,” the government states.
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