The Social Health Authority (SHA) on Monday, February 10, outlined the process that self-employed Kenyans should use to conduct a means testing.
Means testing is the process of assessing the financial capability of households, particularly those that do not have regular income. It entails assessing the household's socio-economic factors such as the household's ability to access services, its composition, and housing conditions.
During a press address on February 5, Health Director-General Patrick Amoth noted that several Kenyans were being denied healthcare in facilities across the country because of skipping this crucial step.
According to Dr Amoth, the government was grappling with challenges brought about by unemployed Kenyans who did not provide the required data to help establish the true representation of income generated in each household.
He added that a means-testing average yields a premium of KSh592.
"One challenge that we are facing is not many of our people who register through the process complete it in its entirety to the point of doing the means testing," Amoth stated.
"So far we only have 3.1 million people who have done means testing meaning some cannot be eligible for the services under the Social Health insurance fund. They cannot be able to access primary healthcare services and emergency services."
Members of the public who are employed do not need to conduct means testing as their SHA deductions are generally drawn from their salaries. With a base of Ksh300, a further 2.75 per cent of one's salary goes to SHA each month.
Kenyans have also been urged to not only make early registration to SHA but also conduct the means testing before they have to go to a hospital to avoid delays in treatment.
Those incapable of completing the process by themselves have been encouraged to liaise with community health promoters to assist them.
How to Conduct Means Testing
1. The first step is to Visit http://afyayangu.go.ke and log in.
2. After logging in, navigate to “My Profile.”
3. Click on the “Income” tab next.
4. Respond to the set of questions.
5. An amount payable to SHA monthly or annually will be calculated.
