The Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) was created under the SHIF ACT, No. 16 of 2023 and came into force on 22^nd November 2023. While NHIF primarily catered for formal sector employees and had voluntary membership for self-employed individuals, SHIF requires contributions from all workers under the insurance scheme. This move is meant to provide more equitable access to healthcare services for all residents.

Following the gazettement of the Regulations, every resident person is required to apply to the Authority for registration as a member of the SHIF pursuant to Section 26(1) of the Social Health Insurance Act. The Social Health Insurance Act established the Primary Healthcare Fund, the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund.

Eligibility to Access SHIF

The following are the persons who are required to register to be able to access SHIF:

• Every Kenyan
• Non-Kenyan residing in Kenya for a period of more than 12 months.
• Any child born after the commencement of Social Health Insurance  Fund  Act (SHIFA)

Contributions

1.  A household whose income is derived from salaried employment shall pay a monthly statutory deduction contribution to the Social Health Insurance Fund at a rate of 2.75% of the gross salary or wage of the household by the ninth day of each month.
2. The amount payable every month shall not, in any case, be less than Kenya shillings three hundred (Kshs. 300) per month.
3. A person who has attained the age of twenty-five years and has no income of his or her own or is living with the contributor shall be treated as a household separate from the contributor and shall pay Kenya shillings three hundred (Kshs. 300) per month.

Postponement of the Effective Date

In addition, the payment of contributions and subsequent access to healthcare services that had been planned to commence from 1st July 2024 has been postponed to 1 October 2024, as the authorities work on the digital platform designed to support contributions and member registration.

Conclusion

With the intention of making the required adjustments, all employers and prospective members should monitor the date of commencement, October 1, 2024.

For any clarifications and support you can reach us at bkamau@mgkconsult.co.ke