How to Save for Your Health with NHIF
The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) is the body involved in the provision of medical insurance by covering its members and declared dependents like spouses and children. The NHIF was created under Cap 255 of Kenyan Law of 1966. At the time of creation, its main objective was o provide health insurance to employed personnel only. Currently, it is also covering self-employed individuals.
You can be a member of the NHIF if you have attained the age of 18 years, you are a rodent of Kenya and you have a monthly income of more than Ksh 1,000. Once you become a member, you need to make monthly contributions towards the insurance.
NHIF Coverage
The NHIF provides a wide coverage towards medical expenses. The coverage includes:
- Inpatient cover
- Outpatient cover
- Group life cover
- Last expense cover
- Ex-Gratia Payments
- Maternity and reproductive cover
Read also: How to file tax returns in Kenya.
How to Register and Become NHIF Member
You can register to become an NHIF member even if you are self-employed. NHIF has made things easy by providing online registration. As such, you do not have to make long queues in their offices to register and become a member. You can also register as a member by dialing *263# on your mobile phone.
Documents You Need to Register as an NHIF Member
You need to present the following details when registering to become a voluntary NHIF member.
- Copy of your national ID and that of your spouse
- Original copies of birth certificate of your dependents
- Colored passport size photo and that of your spouse
- The employer’s NHIF code for employed individuals
- Employment letter from your employer for employed individuals
- Foreign residents should provide copies of their passports
How to Apply for NHIF Card Online
You can use the online NHIF portal to apply for an NHIF card. To do so, follow these steps.
- Visit NHIF online portal
- Select whether you are employed or self-employed
- You will be provided with a form which you need to fill in your details
- Upload a copy of your ID, passport, photo and marriage certificate
- Then click Save
- You will then need to make payment
- You will receive an SMS notification
Visit any NHIF office or Huduma center near you to have your card printed. Normally, it takes around 14 days to have your NHIF card ready.
Read also: How to apply for smart driving license.
How to Make NHIF Contributions
There are many ways you can make your NHIF monthly contributions. Among them include making deposits through their bank accounts, using Mpesa Pay Bill and JamboPay payment.
How to Make NHIF Contributions Using Mpesa
Follow these simple steps to make contributions towards your NHIF cover.
- Go to your Mpesa menu and select Pay Bill
- Enter NHIF Pay Bill Number which is 200222
- Enter your National ID Number as the account number
- Enter the amount you want to contribute
- Enter your Mpesa Pin and the confirm all details are correct
NHIF Rates and Premiums
| Gross Income (Ksh) | Premiums (Ksh) |
| 5,999 | 150 |
| 6,000 - 7,999 | 300 |
| 8,000 - 11,999 | 400 |
| 12,000 - 14,999 | 500 |
| 15,000 - 19,999 | 600 |
| 20,000 - 24,999 | 750 |
| 25,000 - 29,999 | 850 |
| 30,000 - 34,999 | 900 |
| 35,000 - 39,999 | 950 |
| 40,000 - 44,999 | 1,000 |
| 45,000 - 49,999 | 1,100 |
| 50,000 - 59,999 | 1,200 |
| 60,000 - 69,999 | 1,300 |
| 70,000 - 79,999 | 1,400 |
| 80,000 - 89,999 | 1,500 |
| 90,000 - 99,999 | 1,600 |
| 100,000 & above | 1,700 |
| Self employed | 500 |
NHIF Services and Benefits
Members of the NHIF scheme have a lot to enjoy. The following are the benefits you can enjoy with the NHIF cover.
- Supa cover. Members get to enjoy in-patient and out-patient services, maternal care, cancer treatment, surgery expenses, renal dialysis and overseas treatment. Ensure that the hospital you visit is NHIF accredited.
- Linda mama. The Linda Mama is an initiative by the NHIF that covers the needs of pregnant women and infants by allowing them to access affordable healthcare.
- Civil servant scheme. This is an initiative for civil servants that provides in-patient, out-patient, maternity group and last expense for civil servants.
- EduAfya. This is a service offered by NHIF to provide affordable healthcare to public secondary students in course of their study.
NHIF Payment of Claims
Claims are made directly to the NHIF after a patient has been discharged from hospital. The NHIF then reviews the claim to check its validity. The NHIF can reject a claim in case of an abnormality. NHIF strives to make payment within 14 days upon receipt of a claim. Members who pay their hospital bill can make a claim directly to NHIF for a reimbursement.
Read also: How to save for your retirement with NSSF.
Conclusion
The NHIF cover is beneficial and I can recommend it to any Kenyan resident. There are many benefits can enjoy from the cover, especially if you have the Supa cover that covers a wide range of health services. It goes ahead to cover cancer treatment. Initially, the cover was only meant for employed people, but currently, it is available to self-employed individuals.
