The Ministry of Health, led by Aden Duale, has unveiled new measures to streamline the payment of claims by the Social Health Authority (SHA). In a bid to address the growing concerns of delayed reimbursements, the Ministry has confirmed that claims will now be paid on a first-come-first-served basis, in line with the 90-day contractual period.
This development comes after widespread complaints from health providers, particularly those in private and faith-based hospitals, regarding the long delays in receiving reimbursements from SHA. Several hospitals, especially those in rural areas, have warned that the delays could lead to closures by the end of the year if outstanding debts are not cleared. The Rural Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) has voiced alarm over the negative impact of delayed payments, including the potential loss of vital health services to underserved communities.
In response, the Ministry of Health has taken significant steps to fast-track payments. SHA has been instructed to prioritize claims in a systematic order, ensuring that providers are compensated in the order that claims were submitted. This will help address the backlog of payments and alleviate financial strain on health facilities.
The government has also released Ksh3.4 billion from the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) to support hospitals across the country. The disbursement aims to address the immediate financial challenges faced by health providers, particularly those in faith-based organizations (FBOs) which play a critical role in delivering health services to remote and underserved populations.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale acknowledged the pivotal role of FBOs in the Kenyan healthcare system, especially in reaching communities that would otherwise be left behind. In addition to the payment reforms, the Ministry has committed to further supporting FBOs by providing more devices and training to enhance service delivery. Over 3,000 facilities are already registered under the Digital Health Agency, with a target of 6,500, as part of ongoing efforts to improve access to healthcare services across the nation.
The new measures are expected to restore confidence among health providers, with the hope that payments will flow more efficiently, thereby ensuring that patients receive timely care without disruptions.
