Overview of the National Health Insurance Fund
NHIF stands for National Health Insurance Fund and provides affordable medical coverage to its members. Members pay monthly contributions (500 shillings per month for the informal sector and 150-1700 per month for the formal sector on a graduated scale, depending on your salary). Once registered, members can receive medical services from a network of NHIF-approved healthcare providers comprehensively or non-comprehensively. The goal of NHIF is to improve access to quality healthcare for all Kenyans towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Why it is Important to Join NHIF
There are several benefits to joining NHIF:
- Access to quality healthcare: With NHIF, members have access to a network of healthcare providers that offer quality medical services comprehensively (Government & Faith-based hospitals) or non-comprehensively (Mainly large private facilities).
- Financial protection: By paying monthly contributions of Kes. 500 per month, members are protected against medical treatment and hospitalization costs.
- Improved health outcomes: With access to quality healthcare, members are more likely to receive timely and effective treatment, which can improve health outcomes and prevent complications.
- Convenient: The enrollment process is straightforward and simple. To register, dial *155#, download the NHIF app, ‘My NHIF”, self-register through the NHIF self-care portal (https://nhifcare.co.ke/) or visit the nearest branch or Huduma centre. Members can receive medical services at any NHIF-approved healthcare provider across the country. Members must choose an outpatient facility through the above-mentioned self-care platforms to access member services.
- Cost-effective: NHIF provides an affordable option for medical coverage, making it accessible to a wider range of people, including those with low incomes.
- Legal requirement: According to Kenyan law, every Kenyan over 18 years must be registered to NHIF if they are not dependents of their parents.
In summary, joining NHIF provides access to quality healthcare, financial protection, improved health outcomes, convenience, and cost-effectiveness, and is a legal requirement.
