NHIF contributors to enjoy services until further notice

The Ministry of Health has been forced back to the drawing board in its bid to roll-out the Social Health Authority (SHA) – whose implementation was expected to begin today – following the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024.

Subsequently, Kenyans with the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) card have been urged not to worry as services offered through the same infrastructure will continue until further notice.

Equally, the Ministry has appealed to the health facilities not to close their doors to the patients seeking since their claims will be settled.

According to the CS the Finance Bill 2024 sought to finance the Primary Healthcare Fund and the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund and set aside funds for indigents and vulnerable persons. “However, now the Ministry is reworking to align to this reality. Therefore, the existing NHIF contributions and benefits will continue until we roll over to SHA,” said Nakhumicha at the onset of the weekend when she gave an update on the SHA roll out.

She assured Kenyans, particularly those who have been enjoying healthcare services under NHIF that they will not be denied any services during the rollout phase of SHA that has been shelved to sometime around October.

“I call upon all facilities to continue offering services to Kenyans and assure them that all claims will be verified and settled,” the CS said at Afya House.

For the registration drive for new members under the new scheme, Nakhumicha announced that the programme will kick off countrywide this morning, saying that Kenyans can utilise the USSD code *147# or visit the SHA website to access the free self-registration process.

“In preparation for the rollout of the Social Health Insurance and its benefits, I hereby announce that registration shall commence from July 1, 2024.

“This will be conducted countrywide through self-registration by use of a USSD *147# or www.sha.go.ke, assisted registration by Community Health Promoters, visiting the NHIF Offices and other registration points as the SHA board will designate,” she said, pointing out that the exercise that can also be accessed at all the Huduma Centres across the country, is free.

In line with the SHI Act and Regulations, the government envisages fresh registration of all Kenyans and people resident in Kenya.

“In compliance with the SHI Act, which mandates the creation and disclosure of a fresh benefit package, the Ministry of Health has formulated and circulated the new tariffs and benefit package for public review and stakeholder feedback,” said Nakhumicha who was accompanied by the two Principal Secretaries; Mary Muthoni (Public Health and Professional Standards) and Harry Kimtai (Medical Services).

Senior Ministry; NHIF and SHA officials including the transition committee were also present.

Benefit package

The CS revealed that the feedback on the new tariffs and benefit package had been incorporated ahead of a national validation and formal gazettement before the rollout.

“In compliance with the SHI Act, the Social Health Authority Board has requested and received from the regulatory bodies the list of empanelled facilities that will facilitate the SHA Board to initiate contracting for purposes of service delivery ahead of the rollout,” she said.

According to Nakhumicha, the empanelment and Contracting of HealthCare Providers/Facilities in compliance with the SHI Act, the SHA Board has requested and received from the regulatory bodies the list of empanelled facilities will that facilitate it to initiate contracting for purposes of service delivery ahead of the roll out.

SHA Board chair, Dr Timothy Olwenyi reinforced the CS’ assurance to Kenyans holding NHIF cards that they will not be denied services in their facilities of choice.

“Services will continue on the NHIF arrangement for now for an indefinite period, and that’s why we are asking healthcare providers not to close their doors,” he told People Daily.

Transition committee

 NHIF was to be replaced by SHA today.

“Part of the anxiety that has been there is this issue people worrying what happens after 1st, but of course you know also there has been a massive number of claims being forwarded by people thinking that the scheme is ending, and so they wanted to do their benefits before,” Dr Olweny said, noting that once this announcement has been made, people anxiety will subside.

In another development, the transition committee from NHIF to SHA has three weeks to finalise its report of the audit of assets belonging to the Fund, in preparation for transfer to the new Authority.

 The Transition Committee chair, Jason Kap Kirwok, revealed that his team had completed the assessment tour of the NHIF assets in the country, going to 164 locations, and now was busy compiling its report.

“We will hand over the report to the CS by July 25, 2024, thereafter she will decide whether the Committee’s life will be extended or not.