Private hospitals across Kenya risk losing their licenses if they fail to comply with the Social Health Authority (SHA) regulations, Medical Services Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai has warned.
He emphasized that all health facilities must abide by the law while continuing to provide services to Kenyans.
Speaking on Monday, Kimtai criticized hospitals that have suspended services, accusing them of trying to pressure the government.
“Why do you protest? Why do you stop services yet you knew well that NHIF had your outstanding bill? Since 2016, we have called for negotiations and engagement to prove that it is true. We were ready to pay, but they should not blackmail the government and Kenyans by stopping to offer services,” Kimtai said.
He cautioned that failure to comply with the new regulations could lead to serious consequences for private health facilities.
“If they continue like this, it is obvious; that they are also subject to renewal of licenses. If they are not compliant and don’t want to offer services to Kenyans according to the laws, then close shop; that is not the right business that you are supposed to do,” he added.
Private hospitals have asked the government to settle pending National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) arrears before processing SHA claims.
The Rural and Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) and the Kenya Association of Private Hospitals (KAPH) reported that more than half of private hospitals want NHIF payments cleared first.
A report by the two associations indicated that 55 percent of private hospitals favor NHIF arrears settlement before SHA claims are processed.
Meanwhile, 26 percent support handling both NHIF and SHA claims at the same time, while 19 percent prefer prioritizing SHA payments and postponing NHIF arrears.
“Private facilities overwhelmingly prefer NHIF arrears settlement (61 percent), compared to 51 percent for faith-based hospitals and 49 percent for public facilities,” the report stated.
The findings also highlighted challenges faced by lower-level health facilities, with 56 percent managing to reconcile their NHIF claims, while many others struggle due to limited awareness and access to the NHIF portal.
Earlier this month, State House announced that hospitals with NHIF claims of Sh10 million and below would receive full payment, covering 91 percent of contracted facilities.
The remaining nine percent, with claims exceeding Sh10 million, will undergo verification within 90 days before a payment plan is determined.