Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has assured all hospitals that made claims to the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) will get their payments.
The CS made the assurance while appearing before the Departmental Committee on Health on Thursday, March 14.
The lawmakers had raised concerns regarding NHIF remittances as the state transitions to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) this month.
"Efforts are underway to prioritize settlement of NHIF claims to eligible hospitals, ensuring fair reimbursement based on available funds," she explained before the committee.
"Plans are in place to address delays in payments to certain facilities, including the Kenyatta National Hospital and Nairobi County Medical Facilities. The Ministry is exploring mechanisms to support detained patients with outstanding bills, promoting accessibility to essential medical care."
During her appearance, Nakhumicha also revealed that in February this year, the Ministry paid Ksh238 million to both national and county government facilities
In Nairobi County alone, Ksh2.9 billion has been paid to the three leading referral hospitals Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital (KUTRRH) and Mathari Hospital.
Overall, Ksh3.3 billion has, so far, been paid to Nairobi healthcare facilities by the fund.
According to the Ministry of Health data, government facilities account for 66.7 per cent of healthcare providers and 22.03 per cent of total transactions.
In recent months, Kenyans have been up in arms over the state's decision to deduct 2.75 per cent from salaried individuals to cater to the social fund.
On March 6, the Ministry announced that the government requires the deductions to be made beginning in March.
CS Nakhumicha remarked that the Ministry would gazette the SHIF regulations on Friday, March 8, to pave the way for employers to factor this in the March payroll.
“Once the regulations are gazetted, they come into effect so that means deductions begin end of March, 2.75 per cent of income,” she revealed.
