NHIF given ultimatums to clear outstanding bills as hospitals start rejecting cards
2 min read
NHIF given seven days to pay outstanding bills owed to health providers even as both private and public hospitals start rejecting cards
NHIF given seven days to pay outstanding bills owed to health providers even as both private and public hospitals start rejecting cards.
National Assembly Health Committee chairperson Robert Pukose and an Endebess member of parliament, gave the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) seven days to settle any unpaid medical bills or else the fund’s director will be called in to account for the delays.
Speaking in Kitale, Pukose emphasized that many Kenyans who have purchased national health insurance are suffering as a result of being denied care because the government-owned insurer has not paid their claims.
The National Health Insurance Fund (NIIIF), the cornerstone of the government’s Universal health care program, is relied upon by about 80% of Kenyans who do not have private insurance.
In public hospitals that still accept NHIF cards as a mode of payment, services paid for by the insurer are either not available or require patients to visit private facilities for expensive tests.
Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha said hospitals are owed KES20 billion by NHIF and had asked the National Treasury to expedite the payment.
Nakhumicha said she was aware that NI IIT has been struggling to remain afloat due to the huge amount of money owed to it by the treasury.
Government launches Mau Mau census after Gachagua remarks
All Rural hospitals in Kenya won’t accept NHIF cards as of Wednesday
Al-Shabab killed 54 Ugandan soldiers in Somalia, Museveni
Gachagua slams Raila over secession remarks
Already, all rural private hospitals arc on a go slow, pushing for the release of funds to the facilities for the April to June 2023 quarter to continue offering services.
According to the Rural Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (Rupha), the NHIF Board failed to send even one penny to the healthcare institutions during the April–June 2023 quarter, preventing them from paying employees and forcing some layoffs.
“As a result of the board’s failure to honour its financial commitments, the health facilities under the Rupha are left with no other recourse but to issue an immediate notice that beneficiaries of the NHIF Capitated Schemes will be required to make cash payments to access services, effective from May 31, 2023,” said Rupha chairman Brian Lishenga in a letter to NHIF chairman Michael Kamau.
Also read,
Business CEOs in fear of Ruto’s plan- Report
Azimio signals return of Maandamano
NHIF put on the spot over KSh200 million spend in excess
How Uhuru plotted to retaliate against UK government, Jane Marriott
Follow us
