Established all the way back in 1966, the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) is part of the Kenyan Ministry of Health and was brought into existence in order to meet the country’s ever changing healthcare needs.
Should you want to, there is the ability to become part of the NHIF through its membership scheme. If you currently operate within the formal sector then membership is actually compulsory, whereas for those within the informal sector, it is not.
Requirements for application
You must be at least 18 years of age and be a resident of Kenya or be a foreigner who is permitted to either study or work in the country. You also need to have a monthly salary or wage of Kshs. 1,000 / month (equal to Kshs. 12,000 Kshs a year). This income must come from within Kenya, from either a business or public sector institute.
When applying for membership, a Kenyan resident is required to present a copy of their national identification, a copy of their contract for employment, a passport size photo (in colour), and both the original document and a copy of their birth certificate.
A foreigner who is currently working in the country and wishes to apply, needs to present a copy of their passport, along with a passport size photo (in colour). They are also required to provide the necessary amount under the self employed / voluntary category.
A foreigner who is currently working in the country and wishes to apply, needs to present a copy of their passport, along with a passport size photo (in colour).
A completed application form can be dropped off at branches throughout the country.
Understanding the benefits
Upon becoming a member of the NHIF, it means that if you are ever submitted into hospital, you are provided with the services that you require, with the hospital seeking reimbursement from NHIF, rather than yourself.
There are in excess of 400 different government accredited facilities, and public and private health providers where medical coverage is provided. The services provided include all in patient activity and even materiney / caesarian cover. In some medical facilities, dialysis is available at the cost of Ksh 2,500 per each and every session of the treatment. The facilities where this is administered include:
- Kakamega Country General Hospital
- Africare Limited
- Tawfiq Hospital, Malindi
- Consolata Hospital, Nyeri
- P C E A Hospital, Kikuyu
- Thika Level 5 Hospital, Thika
- Muranga District Hospital, Muranga
- Mediheal Hospital & Fertility Centre
- Siloam Hospital, Kericho
- Coast General Hospital, Mombasa
- Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital, Nakuru
- Provincial General Hospital Kisumu
- Moi Teaching & Referral Hospital, Eldoret
- Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi
Contributions and deductions
For those operating within the formal sector, your contributions are deducted and then remitted through to the NHIF by your employer. The process for this is either via online banking or by payment of a cheque.
More information
To find out more information about the NHIF membership scheme, including details on how long does nhif card take to be active, follow the link.
