The Social Health Authority (SHA) has completed the disbursement of a second batch of payments to healthcare providers for verified pending claims of Sh10 million and below owed by the former National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
This follows a thorough verification and approval process to confirm the legitimacy of outstanding claims before releasing funds. The payments target facilities whose claims were validated and signed off, continuing the government's initiative to clear inherited NHIF debts.
In a notice dated August 14, SHA confirmed that the second tranche of payments had been processed and credited to the eligible healthcare providers. The list of paid facilities is available on the SHA website for transparency.
Background and Impact
NHIF was replaced by SHA under recent health sector reforms, transferring responsibilities for health insurance management and related financial obligations. Pending claims had accumulated under NHIF, causing financial strain on many health facilities.
Delayed payments had previously hampered some providers' ability to procure medicines, cover operational costs, and maintain service delivery. The current settlement effort aims to alleviate these challenges.
Ongoing Process and Communication
- SHA will continue issuing updates as the payment exercise progresses.
- Additional batches of verified claims are expected to be settled in due course.
- Healthcare providers can seek clarifications or submit inquiries through SHA's Treasury Department or the Director of Benefits and Claims.
The payment initiative is part of the government's broader strategy to strengthen SHA and ensure a smooth transition from NHIF, focusing on settling only genuine claims supported by proper documentation.
SHA Chief Executive Officer Mercy Mwangangi emphasized the importance of transparency and ongoing communication throughout the process.
