MH Reporter
A majority of hospitals in Kenya – especially the private ones – are reportedly declining to accept the National Health Insurance (NHIF) card.
A report in the Nation indicate the most patients who have chronic illnesses have often been turned away after the hospitals declined the national insurer.
According to some to some of the private hospitals, there is fear that some of the claims may never be paid by the national insurer even after treating the patients.
Most of the patients in Kenya with chronic illnesses depend on NHIF.
Interestingly, most hospitals will put a notice informing patients that NHIF cards are not accepted.
The NHIF is said to owe some hospitals as much as Sh20 million.
The NHIF has in the past been rocked with scandals – with many claiming that some hospitals were filling dubious claims.
Kenyans pay between Sh500 and Sh1,500 towards NHIF.
There are however plans to reduce the minimum contribution to Sh300 in an attempt to increase uptake especially among the unemployed and people in the informal sector.
For most Kenyans in employment, NHIF is not the primary insurer as they have other private insurance companies serviced through their employers.
The UDA government in its manifesto promised to revamp NHIF and make it the primary healthcare Insurance provider, but that has not happened yet.