KENYANS may have to dig deeper into their pockets to raise Ksh6,000 annually towards the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
This is part of the changes the government seeks to roll out as it plans to offer medical services to every Kenyan irrespective of their standing in the society.
The National Hospital Insurance Fund (Amendment) Bill will, however, await Parliament approval before it can be signed into law.
Once passed, every Kenyan adult (18 years and above) will have to pay the compulsory amount towards NHIF.
The government is targeting over 15 million Kenyans who are yet to register for NHIF despite being 18 years old and above. Currently, out of the over 25 million Kenyans who are 18 years and above, only 8,898 million have registered with the NHIF.
“The Bill proposes to insert a new Section 15A to make it mandatory for any person who has attained the age of 18 years and is not a beneficiary to register as a member of the Fund,” states the memorandum of the Bill.
In a remodelled universal health coverage (UHC) scheme for outpatient and inpatient services, including maternity, dialysis, cancer treatment and surgery, every Kenyan will now be required to pay Ksh500 monthly towards NHIF.
The compulsory enrollment will also compel employers to match workers’ monthly contributions to the Fund.
Informal workers currently contribute Sh500 monthly according to the NHIF Act, while those in formal jobs contribute between Sh150 and Sh1,700 – and this is compulsory.
According to the Act, children who are below 18 years are enrolled by their parents (who are members) until they hit adulthood – but even so – NHIF continues to cover such beneficiaries up to 21 years if they have no income of their own.
The Bill goes on to say thus: “The Minister (for health) may, in consultation with the board, make regulations for the better carrying out of subsection I (on compulsory contribution),” says the Bill.
Kenya initially paid Ksh320 towards NHIF until recently when contributions were re-looked and a new tier system introduced – which has seen workers pay between Ksh500 and Ksh1,700 per month.
Although Kenyans in the private medical schemes often provided by their employers (and where they pay monthly premiums) have felt that Ksh1,700 is on the higher side, the benefits to the general Kenyan populace has been tremendous.