Starting March, all households in Kenya will contribute 2.75% of their monthly income to the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…
- Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha confirms the implementation with all necessary laws and regulations in place.
- A new Emergency Chronic and Critical Illness Fund is established to cover treatment costs for Kenyans in level five hospitals.
- SHIF replaces the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), eliminating the previous maximum contribution limit of Ksh. 1,700.
- Contributions for employed Kenyans will be 2.75% of gross salary, while non-salaried individuals will pay 2.75% of their earnings.
- Primary healthcare up to Level 3 will be free of charge under the new regulations.
- County-level executive committees will manage deductions and remittances to the authority by the ninth day of each month.
Read Also:
Health CS Nakhumicha Announces Commencement of SHIF Deductions in the Coming Month
Starting March this year, every household in Kenya will contribute 2.75% of its monthly income to the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), according to Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha.
The implementation of this scheme is backed by all necessary laws and regulations, with deductions set to commence promptly.
During the launch of a commitment to address the Triple Threat of HIV, teen pregnancies, and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Bungoma County, CS Nakhumicha announced the government’s establishment of an Emergency Chronic and Critical Illness Fund.
This fund aims to cover treatment expenses for Kenyans admitted to level five hospitals, with the costs borne by the national government.
SHIF’s introduction marks the phase-out of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), eliminating the current maximum contribution limit of Ksh. 1,700. This change will result in higher deductions for employed Kenyans.
CS Nakhumicha emphasized the Kenya Kwanza government’s commitment to providing affordable and accessible healthcare for all citizens.
Under the new regulations, primary health services up to Level 3 will be free. Contributions to health insurance will only apply at Level 4 and above.
Employed individuals will contribute 2.75% of their gross salary to the health fund, while non-salaried Kenyans will pay 2.75% of their earnings.
At the county level, the executive committee member responsible for finance will deduct and remit employee contributions to the authority by the ninth day of each month.
The revised contributions mean that Kenyans earning a gross salary of Ksh. 50,000 will now pay Ksh. 1,375, up from the previous Ksh. 1,200.
Those with gross incomes exceeding Ksh. 100,000 will contribute Ksh. 2,750, compared to the previous Ksh. 1,700.
High earners will be significantly affected, with those earning Ksh. 500,000 facing a contribution of Ksh. 13,750, and those earning Ksh. 1,000,000 contributing Ksh. 27,500.