SHIF Rollout: Govt Invites Hospitals To Apply For Contractual Provision Of Services Under SHA

• The government set October 1, 2024, as the date for the rollout of the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) scheme
• President William Ruto's administration transitioned the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA), which will run the SHIF
• NHIF acting chief executive officer (CEO) Elijah Wachira invited healthcare providers (HCPs) and healthcare facilities (HCFs) to submit contractual applications to offer services under SHIF

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Healthcare providers (HCPs) and healthcare facilities (HCFs) should apply for contractual engagements with the government to offer services under the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).

This came ahead of the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) transition to the Social Health Authority (SHA).

NHIF acting CEO Elijah Wachira invited licensed hospitals to submit their applications for the contracts pursuant to Sections 33 and 34 of the Social Health Insurance Act 2023.

Which services will hospitals offer under SHIF?

According to Wachira, the contractual services to be offered by the hospitals under SHIF include outpatient services, inpatient and critical care services, dialysis, assistive devices, last office services, accident and emergency services.

Overseas treatment, maternity services, surgical services, optical services, dental healthcare services, oncology services, pharmacy benefits packages, mental health services, rehabilitative services, medical imaging services, specialised essential diagnostic services, and screening for common diseases.

"The Authority, therefore, intends to contract HCPs and HCFs for the provision of healthcare services to SHA beneficiaries," said Wachira.

How can hospitals register for SHIF contracts?

Wachira explained that authorised hospital administrators/owners would be required to create a log-in account and proceed to access the Application for Contracting Form online.

The HCPs and HCPs will complete all the Sections of the Application Form accurately, providing the information and documents required before clicking on the SUBMIT button.

He noted that the system will only accept applications that meet the set criteria stipulated in the application form.

"Successful applications shall receive notification of contracts online with the benefits package and tariffs.

"The HCPs and HCF shall, within two (2) days from the date of receiving the contract, peruse and accept the terms and conditions of the contract before appending the electronic signature of the person authorized to sign on behalf of HCP or HCF, and thereafter submitting the contract," he continued.

When is SHIF rollout?

President William Ruto's administration announced the deadline for the registration of the new health insurance scheme.

Wachira directed employers to ensure all employees have registered for SHIF, saying that monies remitted after November 9, 2024, will be credited to the Social Health Authority (SHA).

The government set October 1, 2024, as the rollout date for the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) scheme.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.