Explainer: Step-by-step guide of how to add your child, spouse to SHA
By Maureen Kinyanjui |
The government's efforts to streamline this process aim to make it more accessible and reduce any obstacles for citizens during the transition.
In an attempt to simplify the process of enrolling loved ones into the newly launched Social Health Authority (SHA) health insurance scheme, the government has rolled out clear guidelines on how parents can add their children and spouses to the programme.
For parents wishing to add their child to the SHA, the process has been simplified through the SHA portal.
Keep reading
- Hospitals seek detailed breakdown of SHIF payments amid ongoing delays
- Private hospitals to accept cash-only payments for medical services over Sh29bn govt debt
- State clarifies SHA benefits, tariffs for critical care services
- SHA technical hitches hindering hospital operations, patient services, says Rupha report
According to the guidelines revealed on Thursday, parents are required to log in to their personal SHA accounts and input their child's birth certificate number.
If the child is under six months old, additional documents are required.
Parents will need to provide either the child's birth notification or birth certificate, along with a passport-size photo.
However, before initiating this process, parents of newborns are reminded that they must inform the Health Authority at least 14 days in advance to seek approval before proceeding with the registration.
Enrolling your spouse
The process of adding a spouse to the SHA scheme involves a few more steps. First, the spouse must be registered on the Afya Yangu portal.
Once this is confirmed, the primary beneficiary (the person seeking to add their spouse) must provide the spouse's national identity number and first name.
Additionally, the system will prompt the user to check if a marriage certificate or affidavit is required.
Afterwards, a One-Time Password (OTP) will be sent to the spouse's registered phone number. The spouse will need to enter this OTP to confirm whether they are listed as a contributor or a dependent in the system.
Once verified, the beneficiary can submit the application to complete the process.
The announcement about these changes comes just hours after Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa addressed concerns over the growing pains of the SHA scheme.
Speaking on Citizen TV on Wednesday, the CS acknowledged that while the program is still in its early stages, the government is committed to resolving any issues beneficiaries are facing.
"The programme is less than 100 days old, so these are transitioning challenges, but we are committed to improving the efficacy of the system and this is through engagement," Barasa said.
She noted that the government is focusing on capacity building, mentorship, and support at the county and regional levels to ensure a smooth transition for users of the new system.
As the scheme continues to evolve, both parents and spouses should ensure they follow the correct steps when adding family members to their SHA health insurance coverage.
The government's efforts to streamline this process aim to make it more accessible and reduce any obstacles for citizens during the transition.
Reader comments
Follow Us and Stay Connected!
We'd love for you to join our community and stay updated with our latest stories and updates. Follow us on our social media channels and be part of the conversation!
Let's stay connected and keep the dialogue going!
Latest News For You
