Will SHIF be Mandatory for all Kenyans?

The answer is Yes! Unlike NHIF, which did not enforce mandatory registration for non-salaried Kenyans, SHIF will now be mandatory for all persons residing in Kenya (Kenyans & foreigners residing in Kenya). 

According to the Social Health Insurance Act 2023, it states that “Within ninety days upon the coming into force of these Regulations, every person resident in Kenya shall apply for registration to the Authority as a member of the Social Health Insurance Fund.”

According to the government, this requirement aims to ensure that every resident in Kenya can access health services per the provisions of the Act. The government received a respite when, on Friday, January 19, the Court of Appeal lifted High Court orders that had previously halted the implementation of the Act. With the Ministry of Health now given approval, SHIF is poised to replace the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

SHIF is a way of paying for and organizing healthcare. It works by gathering together the health risks of lots of people and the money they put in from things like their salaries, business earnings, government funds, and household budgets. This system helps to lessen the burden of healthcare costs for individuals and families, making it a fairer way to pay for healthcare. 

Will I still pay for SHIF if I have my own Medical Insurance?

The answer is still yes, the act does not give exemptions to persons with their personal/private medical covers.
 

Will I still pay for SHIF if I am unemployed?

Yes. Contributors not employed or categorized as vulnerable individuals will pay a monthly contribution of Sh1,000, as opposed to the Sh500 initially proposed in the draft regulations of 2022.

The national and county governments will pay contributions to needy Kenyans.

The national government will contribute Sh13,300 on behalf of individuals listed as vulnerable by the State Department of Social Protection.

When will the SHIF Contributions Begin?

SHIF contributions will begin in July 2024. Terry Rotich, the acting corporation secretary at the Social Health Authority (SHA) on Monday said payment of contributions and access to healthcare under the scheme will commence on July 1 and not March, as announced earlier.
 

She also announced that every Kenyan will be required to apply to the authority for registration as a SHIF member by June 30. Ms Rotich added “All persons in Kenya shall continue to pay their contributions to the repealed NHIF and receive services under the repealed NHIF and the data of the repealed NHIF shall be retained until all claims have been settled,”

She further noted that current NHIF members shall also be required to register afresh with the authority as members of SHIF.