NHIF vs NSHIF: which is better in 2024?
NHIF (National Hospital Insurance Fund) is set to shift to NSHIF (National Social Health Insurance Fund). The proposal was made by Susan Nakhumicha the health Cabinet Secretary in 2023.
Fast forward to 2024, the proposal seems to be coming to reality. The new NSHIF medical cover will be affordable to all Kenyans and they will be able to access health care at a subsidized rate.
The minimum amount you can deposit to your account with NHIF is Ksh 500. For NSHIF, the minimum amount you can deposit is Ksh 150. That’s a huge difference for the average-earning Kenyan.
The new NSHIF rates will be capped at 2.75% of the total amount earned. For instance, if you earn a salary of Ksh 10,000, you will pay Ksh 275 as the health cover.
NHIF to NSHIF
The full NHIF to NSHIF is expected to take full effect after the government gathers partners and stakeholders to raise funds to the tune of billions to register Kenyans into the NHIF scheme.
NSHIF will be able to cover every Kenyan from different groups. Currently, NHIF has the following schemes that cover special groups:
- Linda mama
- Edu Afya
- Orphaned Children scheme
- Elderly scheme
The new NSHIF scheme will be expected to raise Ksh 12.6 billion for health insurance. The scheme will be similar to WhatsApp fundraising groups when someone gets sick. The only difference is that fundraising will be done by every registered Kenyan on the health scheme.
Do Read – NHIF Self Care Portal
NSHIF Rates
The NSHIF rates will be so much different from NHIF rates. The rates will be applied at 2% of the gross income.
Here are the rates for different salary groups:
| Salary range (Ksh) | Monthly contribution (Ksh) |
| Below 5,000 | 150 |
| 6000 – 10,000 | 165 – 275 |
| 11,000 – 15,000 | 300 – 400 |
| 16,000 – 20,000 | 440 – 550 |
| 21,000 – 25,000 | 577 – 687 |
| 26,000 – 30,000 | 715 – 825 |
| 31,000 – 35,000 | 852 – 962 |
| 36,000 – 40,000 | 990 – 1,100 |
| 41,000 – 45,000 | 1,127 – 1,237 |
| 46,000 – 50,000 | 1,265 – 1,375 |
| 51,000 – 55,000 | 1,402 – 1,512 |
| 56,000 – 60,000 | 1,540 – 1,650 |
| 61,000 – 65,000 | 1,677 – 1,787 |
| 66,000 – 70,000 | 1,815 – 1,925 |
| 71,000 – 75,000 | 1,953 – 2,063 |
| 76,000 – 80,000 | 2,090 – 2,200 |
| 81,000 – 85,000 | 2,228 – 2,338 |
| 86,000 – 90,000 | 2,365 – 2,475 |
| 91,000 – 95,000 | 2,503 – 2,613 |
| 96,000 – 100,000 | 2,640 – 2,750 |
| Over 100,000 | 2,750 |
For self-employed Kenyans, they will have to pay 2.75% of their declared monthly earnings.
NHIF Portal
NHIF portal allows you to access services such as :
- NHIF Paybill
- NHIF Self Service
- NHIF Status
- NHIF Hospital Login
The NHIF portal can be accessed via the NHIF website or the eCitizen portal. You will only need your ID number, and phone number to access your account.
How to Pay NHIF via Mpesa
Making your NHIF contributions takes less than ten minutes using Mpesa.
- Open your Mpesa App or SIM toolkit
- Select Lipa na Mpesa
- Choose Paybill
- Enter NHIF Paybill number 222222
- Enter your account number (your ID number)
- Enter amount
- Enter Mpesa Pin
NB: When entering the account number start with NHIFM then the ID number for normal contributions (NHIFM-12345678)
If you are paying a penalty, start with NHIFP and then your ID number (NHIFP-12345678)
If you want to pay through the NHIF portal, log in and request the automatic code and you will be requested to enter your Mpesa pin and complete the transaction.
Conclusion
The NHIF to NSHIF branding is expected to be a game changer in the health sector. The health scheme will now be available and affordable for low and middle-earning Kenyans. Contributors will be paying as low as Ksh 150 per month from the NHIF minimum deposit of Ksh 500.
After the government gets enough for the scheme, Kenyans will have to be registered again to the new NSHIF scheme. Additionally, if you are not in the NHIF scheme you can always wait and join the NSHIF.