- Health CS Susan Nakhumicha said that all Kenyans must register afresh to benefit from SHIF.
- She said civil servants will continue enjoying the existing NHIF contributions and benefits, until the transition to SHIF is complete.
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The Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) is set to be rolled out today, Monday, July 1, 2024.
This is after the National Health Insurance Fund expired on June 30, 2024.
Health CS Susan Nakhumicha said that all Kenyans must register afresh to benefit from SHIF.
She said civil servants will continue enjoying the existing NHIF contributions and benefits until the transition to SHIF is complete.
The registration can be done through a self-registration USSD code *147#.
Registration will also be done through the website http://sha.go.ke, with assistance from Community Health Promoters or by visiting NHIF offices and other designated registration points.
"The SHIF Act mandates the design and publication of a new benefit package. This has been developed through a consultative process and recently advertised for public participation and stakeholder input. The feedback received will be incorporated ahead of a national validation and formal gazettement before the rollout," Nakhumicha said.
What to expect
CS Nakhumicha said that the SHIF registration process is free of charge.
Further, the Transition Committee tasked with facilitating the shift from NHIF to SHIF, suggested that the former should continue while SHA is launched in phases.
This is because some key components that will support the new health authority are not ready.
The minutes for a meeting held by the Committee, seen by the Star, noted the continued use of NHIF systems past July 1 will have financial implications because the licences and contracts for the NHIF system need to be renewed.
Section 47 of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) requires that digitisation and processes be done using a secure, interoperable, verifiable and responsive technology through an information system.
The system supports registration of members, member identification, contributions to the Fund, empanelment of facilities, execution of contracts, notification and pre-authorisation, claims management and settlement of claims.
However, the team noted the progress, including the preparation of key messages by the Ministry of Health and meetings with the media and other stakeholders.
They said the public participation report for the proposed SHA benefit package was received last week and amendments are ongoing.
The digitised ICT template for developing the package has been done. However, the SHA board needs to incorporate the changes suggested by Kenyans and gazette a new benefit package.
"The transition committee needs to make a formal submission and proposal for addressing issues in the alternative plan due to the identified factors that are not ready for July 1 and this includes staggered implementation of the benefits package among others. This will imply communication methodologies including who will make such communications," they said.
The committee is chaired by KapKirwok Jason and members include doctors Daniel Mwai, Kipruto Chesang, Jacinta Wasike, Elizabeth Wangia, Jacob Otachi and Stanley Bii. Other members are Gladys Wambui, Stephen Kaboro and Christopher Leparan.