Starting from July 1, 2024, the government will phase out the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and transition to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) to bolster Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Kenyans will contribute 2.75% of their monthly salaries, with a minimum of sh.300, to the new scheme, replacing NHIF’s varied rates, which range from sh.150 to sh.1,700 for employed individuals and sh.500 for the self-employed.
To ensure a seamless transition, President William Ruto’s cabinet announced a mass registration process starting on June 21, 2024, across all counties.
Existing NHIF members must register afresh as SHIF members.
Principal Secretary of the State Department for Medical Services, Harry Kimtai, disclosed that registration will be conducted via mobile devices, with assistance available at public hospitals and from community health promoters.
The Social Health Insurance Act, 2023, outlines the requirements for registration, encompassing five sections: Principal member’s personal details, Address and Contact Details, Declaration of Dependents, Amendment, and Declaration.
These sections include personal information such as name, employment type, ID number, civil status, date of birth, and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) pin.
Address details, both physical and business, along with county of residence and postal address, are required. Individuals residing abroad must specify their state of residence and ZIP code.
Dependent details from ID cards, including names, dates of birth, relationships, and preferred Primary Care Networks (PCNs), must be provided.
A section is also available to declare any dependent disabilities.
Additionally, a provision for future amendments, such as changes in marital status or dependents, is included.
The form requires the applicant’s signature to confirm the accuracy of the provided information, with options available for those unable to write.
The form mandates writing in capital letters and requires filling all sections. If a section is not applicable, “N/A” should be indicated.
Once completed, the form serves as proof of registration to the SHIF scheme, allowing updates when necessary.
Those seeking to update their forms should specify the correct data in the appropriate section.
