The Ministry of Health has released guidelines for employers on transitioning employees from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA), which will oversee the Social Health Insurance Fund.
In a public announcement on Monday, the ministry stated that the transition to SHA will take effect on October 1, 2024.
“Every Kenyan citizen, including dependents, is legally required to register as a member of SHA. This notice provides crucial information about the transition, payment deadlines, and the SHA Employer Portal,” the notice reads.
Employers can access the SHA Employer Portal at sha.go.ke, which serves as the primary tool for managing employee contributions to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
The portal offers three main functions:
- Employee Registration: Register employees and their dependents with SHA.
- Contribution Remittance: Submit SHIF contributions on behalf of employees.
- Reporting: Generate reports and statements.
Instructions for Portal Use:
- Create an Account: Visit the SHA website and set up an employer account.
- Verify Account: Follow the instructions to verify your account.
- Add Employees: Input employee details and register them with SHA.
- Make Contributions: Use the portal to remit SHIF contributions punctually.
“Ensure all employees are registered with SHA before October 1, 2024, and adhere to payment deadlines to prevent disruptions in healthcare coverage,” stated acting SHA CEO Elijah Wachira.
Members will contribute 2.75% of their income to SHIF, while the government will cover those unable to pay.
This transition is part of the government’s initiative to implement universal health coverage (UHC). However, the court has ruled the SHIF, along with the Primary Healthcare Act and Digital Health Act, unconstitutional.
On July 12, a three-judge bench—Justices Alfred Mabeya, Robert Limo, and Friday Mugambi—found sections of the Social Health Insurance Act (SHIA) unconstitutional. The Act established the SHA, responsible for managing three funds that will replace NHIF: the Primary Healthcare Fund, the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), and the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund.
The contested sections (26(5) and 27(4)) stipulate that individuals can only access health services if their contributions are current and that proof of registration and contributions is required for service access.
The court granted the government 120 days to rectify the legal breaches, stating, “If they fail, the Act will remain suspended.”
The ministry has encouraged the public to register with SHA to ensure inclusion in SHIF. The last day for NHIF admissions is September 30, 2024, while SHA benefits will begin on October 1, 2024.
“Payments made on or before October 9, 2024, will be credited to NHIF. Payments from November 9, 2024, onwards will be credited to SHA,” Wachira added.
