Private hospitals have issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government to clear pending National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) arrears amounting to Ksh10 million or less per facility. The Rural and Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) says the prolonged delays are crippling healthcare delivery, straining operations, and making it difficult to retain staff.
The association expressed frustration over the government’s failure to act on a directive issued earlier this year that required immediate settlement of smaller NHIF debts while larger claims underwent verification. They are now demanding a formal written commitment confirming that all verified claims of Ksh10 million and below will be settled by September 9, 2025.
Despite earlier assurances that funds had been allocated for this purpose, private, public, and faith-based hospitals are yet to receive the payments. According to RUPHA, these delays are creating severe cash flow challenges that threaten service provision. The association insists that such a critical directive should be backed by specific timelines and formal documentation.
To promote transparency, RUPHA is urging the Social Health Authority (SHA) to publish pending claim amounts for each facility within two weeks. This would allow hospitals to verify figures and address any discrepancies without unnecessary delays. They also call for the immediate settlement of uncontested liabilities for facilities that had already completed the NHIF claim verification and sign-off process in the 2023/2024 period.
Additionally, the association proposes that SHA reinstate its internal branch-led claims verification for other facilities within the next three months. This approach, they argue, would speed up the processing of outstanding claims and restore confidence among healthcare providers.
RUPHA maintains that it is committed to working with the Ministry of Health to find a lasting solution. Clearing the arrears, they emphasize, will inject urgently needed working capital into the health sector, ensuring that hospitals can operate smoothly and efficiently. The move would also strengthen the foundation for rolling out Universal Health Coverage, which depends heavily on timely reimbursement of service providers.
The association warns that if the payments are not made within the stipulated time, the situation could escalate, potentially affecting patient care and access to essential medical services. Their message is clear settling these debts is not just a financial matter but a critical step in safeguarding Kenya’s healthcare system.
