NHIF to cover bills for COVID-19 patients in the following facilities

NHIF to cover bills for COVID-19 patients in the following facilities 

The National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) has announced that it will cover the bills incurred by COVID-19 patients in designated hospitals.

Through a statement, the NHIF CEO Peter Kamunyu stated that they would support all COVID-19 patients and their beneficiaries to the Ministry of Health designated facilities.

Despite epidemics and pandemics not covered by insurance policies, the NHIF CEO said they would support the government's efforts if curbing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.   

"The health and wellness of our members, is of utmost importance to us, and in support to the Government's efforts in mitigating and containing the spread of Covid-19, we shall support all Covid -19 positive members and their declared beneficiaries who get admitted to the Ministry of Health designated facilities," read part of the statement.

These facilities include;

• Kenyatta National Teaching and Referral Hospital
• Kenyatta University Teaching Referral
• Research Hospital and Mbagathi County Hospital.
• County designated facilities
• Any other facility designated by the Ministry of health

Dr. Kamunyu also stated that NHIF would not be liable for any bills incurred in non- MoH designated health facilities.

In May this year, while speaking to the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Covid-19, Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI) Executive Director Tom Gichuhi said that Insurance companies would review their policies based on the rate of infections in the country.

"This being a pandemic, it is not possible to predict the number of people who are likely to be infected and hospitalised going forward, and for how long the pandemic will persist," said Gachuhi.

As of yesterday, Kenya has recorded 17,975 COVID-19 cases with 280 fatalities.