Harry Kimtai from Medical Services warned private hospitals about losing their licenses. These hospitals must follow Social Health Authority rules to stay open. He pointed out that not giving services breaks constitutional laws. Kimtai spoke on Monday, saying hospitals can't pressure the government by refusing care to Kenyans.
Kimtai asked why hospitals protested when they knew about unpaid NHIF bills. He mentioned that talks started back in 2016 to address these claims. The government planned to pay, but he said hospitals shouldn't halt services as leverage. Kimtai added that hospitals must follow laws or shut down because healthcare isn't just a business.
Private healthcare centers demanded payment of National Health Insurance Fund debts before handling SHA claims. Groups representing these hospitals, RUPHA and KAPH, reported that 55 percent want NHIF money first. Their committee data showed that 26 percent of private centers would accept payments for both programs at the same time. Only 19 percent favored putting SHA payments ahead and putting off NHIF debts.
The report highlighted that 61 percent of private centers prioritized NHIF debt settlement, higher than faith-based hospitals at 51 percent and public facilities at 49 percent. About 56 percent of healthcare centers finished checking their NHIF claims. However, smaller primary care locations face problems because many don't know about the process or can't access the online system.
The State House announced in early March that hospitals with NHIF claims under Sh10 million would receive full payment. This covers 91 percent of all medical facilities under contract with the insurer. The other nine percent, those with larger claims above Sh10 million, must undergo checks lasting 90 days. After this verification, officials will create a payment schedule.
Kimtai asked why hospitals protested when they knew about unpaid NHIF bills. He mentioned that talks started back in 2016 to address these claims. The government planned to pay, but he said hospitals shouldn't halt services as leverage. Kimtai added that hospitals must follow laws or shut down because healthcare isn't just a business.
Private healthcare centers demanded payment of National Health Insurance Fund debts before handling SHA claims. Groups representing these hospitals, RUPHA and KAPH, reported that 55 percent want NHIF money first. Their committee data showed that 26 percent of private centers would accept payments for both programs at the same time. Only 19 percent favored putting SHA payments ahead and putting off NHIF debts.
The report highlighted that 61 percent of private centers prioritized NHIF debt settlement, higher than faith-based hospitals at 51 percent and public facilities at 49 percent. About 56 percent of healthcare centers finished checking their NHIF claims. However, smaller primary care locations face problems because many don't know about the process or can't access the online system.
The State House announced in early March that hospitals with NHIF claims under Sh10 million would receive full payment. This covers 91 percent of all medical facilities under contract with the insurer. The other nine percent, those with larger claims above Sh10 million, must undergo checks lasting 90 days. After this verification, officials will create a payment schedule.
