Health Ministry releases tariffs for new SHIF benefits

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has released new tariffs to the benefits package in the recently introduced Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) scheme.

In collaboration with the Social Health Authority (SHA) board, the specified tariffs for the SHIF benefits package remain subject to additional discussions with individuals who may be impacted.

Further engagements with respective stakeholders on the proposed tariffs will be held.

Some of the proposed tariffs outlined within the SHIF include; inpatient services in Level 4-6 hospitals, with a limit of admission of up to 50 days shall charge a tariff of Sh3,500 in Level 4, Sh4,000 in Level 5 and Sh 5,000 in Level 6.

Maternity, newborn and child health services accessed in Level 4-6 healthcare facilities will have a Sh11,200 tariff for normal delivery and Sh32,600 for cesarean section while renal care packages in Level 4-6 facilities will have patients paying Sh10,500 for Hemodialysis and Hemodiafiltration services per session and a Sh180,00 monthly fee for Peritoneal dialysis.

The ministry noted that Outpatient care services provided in Level 2, 3 and 4 primary health care referral facilities designated by the Authority shall pay Sh2,000.

For mental wellness, it will cost Sh14,000 and Sh125,000 for detoxification and rehabilitation respectively.

Antiretroviral (ARVs), HIV testing and follow-up tests, family planning commodities, antimalarial medication and testing, anti TBs and testing, and KEPI vaccines will be offered free of charge.

End-of-life services - preparation of a body in a morgue will cost Sh500 daily, with a limit of up to five days while mammography services will cost Sh3,000, special ultrasounds will cost Sh5,000 and Echocardiograms Sh3,500.

For mental wellness packages in Level 3-6 facilities, outpatient services will cost Sh1,200 and inpatient services will cost Sh3,400 (Level 4), Sh4,000 (Level 5) and Sh5,000 (Level 6).

Oncological services

Packages for oncological services in level 4-6 services will see a payment of Sh5,000 in chemo administration, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan will cost Sh53,000, CT-Scan will cost Sh9,600, and Sh11,000 for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

In addition, patients will also pay Sh15,000 for bone scans, Radionuclide scan will cost Sh11,000 and up to Sh40,000 for Brachytherapy.

Medical imaging packages accessible in all respective facilities will have patients pay Sh11,000 for MRI tariffs, Sh9,600 for CT scans, Sh8,000 for CT Angio and Sh4,000 for Fluoroscopy.

The rollout of SHIF is anticipated by the end of June, with President William Ruto expected to inaugurate the registration process during this period.

The Ministry of Health will spearhead a mass registration exercise starting on June 21, 2024, across all platforms.

Both salaried and non-salaried Kenyans will make a monthly 2.75 per cent contribution of their income to the fund. Unemployed Kenyans will only pay a minimum of Sh300.

On November 22, 2023, the Social Health Insurance Act 2023 came into force after being assented to by President Ruto on October 19, 2023.

The Act led to the establishment of the Social Health Authority which will be a key driver in the country's dream to attain Universal Health Coverage agenda.

The authority replaced the repealed National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).