The government has instructed Kenyans to be pro-active in protecting their health benefits by double-checking hospital visits and bills whenever they access care under the new Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme.
In a statement released on Wednesday, SHA Chief Executive Officer Mercy Mwangangi urged members of the public to ensure that every hospital visit is correctly recorded in the SHA system on the exact date of service.
“Once your visit is entered into the system, you’ll receive a confirmation message on your registered phone number,” Mwangangi explained. “We encourage all members to review the details immediately and report any inconsistencies.”
The agency stated this single simple step would go a long way in avoiding double entries, bogus billing, and other forms of abuse that would drain the life out of the funds meant to keep the scheme alive.
Kenyan citizens were also encouraged to vet their hospital bill thoroughly before they depart from the facility to ensure that only the services they truly received are recorded and that the bills correspond with the officially released SHA rates.
Members should not be asked to pay any extra fees incurred as a result of hospital delays or errors in recording visit or billing data, as instructed by the authority.
In case of treatment which is pre-authorisation dependent, members are to verify there are requisite approvals in place before approaching procedures except in emergency situations where instantaneous treatment is necessary.
Mwangangi said SHA’s verification and reporting mechanisms are part of the company’s general push to push for transparency, prevent abuse, and ensure that public money is used in the delivery of quality healthcare.
“Everyone has a role in defending this new system,” she continued. “By being watchful, Kenyans will help us guard the integrity of Taifa Care and ensure the benefits reach the people who are entitled to them.”.
The members who notice discrepancies are at liberty to report them to either SHA or the hospital directly through the toll-free number 147.
The renewed push for accountability follows a massive operation against healthcare fraud. On September 1, 2025, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) received 1,188 files of cases handed over by SHA and Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) after reports of mass forgery in the healthcare system.
The cases focus on individuals and companies who are accused of doctoring claims and sabotaging government efforts to provide affordable, quality healthcare to every Kenyan.
SHA indicated that the new verification system is among ongoing reforms aimed at restoring public confidence and developing an open, efficient health system under the Universal Health Coverage plan.
