Private hospitals in Kenya will now require patients under the Social Health Authority (SHA) cover to pay cash, as frustrations over delayed claims compelled a major policy shift.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Rural & Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) indicated that as from Monday, September 22, SHA beneficiaries services would only be provided on cash terms unless specified otherwise.
The private hospitals association nationwide said this was unavoidable since delayed and pending reimbursement by SHA had rendered it hard for the facilities to operate on credit.
Starting today, all healthcare services at this institution to Social Health Authority (SHA) beneficiaries will be on cash basis,” a part of the notice said.
RUPHA added that unless payment is made on time, hospitals cannot operate, stock essential supplies, and maintain staff.
We regret the inconvenience this may impose and promise that this step is driven by our commitment to keep hospitals operating, ensure critical supplies and equipment to be present, and enable our staff to continue providing their services to patients with the highest possible level of care,” the statement went on.
Following the assumption of authority in October 2024 by SHA from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), health providers have had constant complaints regarding delayed payment of claims and reimbursement bottlenecks issues that have now escalated into a countrywide gridlock with private hospitals.