TSC confirms shift to SHA cover for teachers from December 1

Teachers can start accessing healthcare services under the new Social Health Authority (SHA) cover as soon as Monday, December 1, 2025, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has confirmed.

The Commission noted that all teacher records, including 320 who are currently admitted across 100 hospitals, have been successfully transferred to the SHA system to ensure uninterrupted medical services.

TSC Acting CEO Eveleen Mitei emphasised that these patients will continue receiving treatment without disruption, while ongoing sensitisation efforts are underway to guide all teachers on accessing and using the new system.

“The transition is on course. All our data is on the SHA system, and teachers can access Medicare whenever required,” she said in an interview with the Nation.

Medical Administrators (K) Limited (MAKL), which previously managed TSC’s health insurance, directed hospitals to cease services for teachers from midnight on November 30, citing the end of its contract.

“Any continued admissions, treatments, or healthcare services rendered beyond this date and time will not be considered MAKL’s liability, nor shall they be deemed authorised,” the company said.

SHA CEO Mercy Mwangangi issued guidance to hospitals on the transition, assuring that teachers’ medical bills will be covered from December 1.

“For TSC teachers admitted under MAKL before the transition, you must formally discharge them from the MAKL system by 23:59 on November 30, 2025 and then readmit them under the SHA Public Officer Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF) TSC scheme immediately after 00:00 on December 1, 2025. Accurate documentation with clear timestamps for both discharge and readmission is mandatory to prevent billing disputes,” she said.

The transition comes after TSC opted to move teachers’ health cover from Minet to SHA following a decade of the former’s service. Mitei noted that ongoing sensitisation and field officer support will help teachers navigate the new system.

“Nothing changes, and treatment will continue. Sensitisation is ongoing by our field officers and SHA staff,” she said.

Last week, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei met TSC and SHA officials to finalise preparations for the system rollout.

President William Ruto had also assured that the over 400,000 teachers will get enhanced health cover.

“I know you have had a health cover that has not worked well for you, and I promise you that we will change it. It was less than what public servants have, and it is not right. We are correcting that and will make sure everything goes well,” he said.

The comprehensive benefits under SHA’s Mwalimu Cover include inpatient and outpatient services, maternity care, chronic illness management, dental and optical services, road and air evacuation, last expenses and overseas treatment.

Coverage extends to teachers who are principal members, one declared spouse, and up to five children aged 0–21 years, or up to 25 if full-time students. Children with disabilities registered with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities are also included.

Other Topics To Read

• Health
• Teachers Service Commission
• SHIF
• Social Health Authority
• kenya education sector
• Minet
• Mwalimu Cover
• teachers health cover
• public servants medical scheme
• MAKL
• health insurance transition
• TSC confirms shift to SHA cover for teachers from December 1
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Despite a court case filed by two teachers challenging the shift, the transition will proceed as no injunction has been issued. The hearing is scheduled for December 10.

Teacher unions highlighted that the 30-day termination clause in the scheme allows monitoring of service delivery, hospital access, claims processing and overall reliability, providing an exit option if standards are not met.

“Teachers are aware they will move to a new scheme starting Monday. We suggested exit clauses to allow either party to act quickly if needed. Teachers should not worry about something they have not yet experienced,” Kenya National Union of Teachers Deputy Secretary General Hesbon Otieno said.

Since last week, teachers have been receiving messages from SHA confirming their enrolment, which expands healthcare access from 800 to 9,600 facilities, including public, private and faith-based institutions.

All beneficiaries must be fully registered with SHA and be active, fully paid-up members to access services under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF). Teachers wishing to add dependents can do so by dialling *147# or through SHA’s online portals at www.sha.go.ke or www.afyayangu.go.ke.