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News and Analysis
October 30, 2024
The government through the Ministry of Health has given directives that all healthcare providers contracted under the Social Health Authority (SHA) to give seamless treatment to registered contributors without requiring any upfront payments.
Principal Secretary for Medical Services Harry Kimtai noted that Kenyans registered under SHA were eligible for immediate payments without being asked to co-pay or to make an upfront payment.
"No registered SHA patient should be denied treatment. If they have been contracted to provide services under SHA, they must fulfill their obligations without demanding upfront payments from patients," Kimtai stated.
The PS assured Keyans that the government has set aside money for settling outstanding bills owed to health facilities by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), with Ksh9 billion set to be paid out this week.
Kimtai revealed that an insurance premium finance model is now being developed, which will provide an upfront payment option.
He also addressed Kenyans who are not satisfied with the level of treatment they are getting under SHA advising them to get additional private insurance.
“You do not say that if you are paying more in terms of your income, you should not get more benefits. It’s standard. If you like extra, you can pay for another cover like a private cover,” Kimtai said.
He added that the fund was aimed to provide equality and standard treatment for all Kenyans based on their gross salaries as previously, the figure was not uniform.
“We came with a standard and a uniform figure which is 2.75% for the purposes of equity. Previously, there were those who paid Ksh500 and their earnings were Ksh5,000 which means they were paying 10% of their income. Then there were those paying a maximum of Ksh1,700 and their salaries were Ksh100,000,” the PS pointed out.
The government is setting up county committees to ensure that all Kenyans are registered under the new model by December.
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