Under the new scheme, health benefits will be accessed in all facilities accredited by SHA, and licensed by medical council.
"SHA will offer services in public facilities, faith-based, and private facilities. SHA will pay standardised tariffs to all hospitals, including private and public ones. People will have the freedom to determine which facilities to access, but those looking for high-end facilities might have to top up for additional services," said Olweny.
Further, he clarified that SHA premiums are lower compared to what used to be remitted to NHIF.
"Previous system was very inequity because for example, someone earning Sh100,000 was contributing 1.7 per cent of their pay, whereas that earning Sh5,000 was paying Sh500, which is five per cent, which is inequity," he said.
Olweny explained that the reason for the new contribution structure is to have a progressive contribution structure.
He clarified that all employees at NHIF will need to reapply to join the new authority.
However, those currently working at the fund will be given priority.
"Transition committee is ceased of overseeing the transition of liabilities, and human resource to SHA," he said.
"There are tools that will be used to determine what kind of employees we need, the numbers and what skills are required. Based on this, those at NHIF will be expected to re-apply," he added.
In November, Health Cabinet Secretary gave Olweny two months to work on structures of employment at the authority.
The CS said the employees are expected to re-apply, move to other government parastatals or apply for early retirement.
But during an interview with The Standard, Olweny said employment is not a priority, as the focus is to ensure operations continue seamlessly, and services are delivered to the public in the usual manner.
Whereas NHIF has had damning scandals, the SHA Chairman said he is determined to avoid a repeat of the same through enhancing fraud detection systems.
The fraud detection technology, he said will be activated before any payment is made.
"The only way to ensure fraud is minimised is to ensure we have a robust system, and we are leveraged on fraud detection technology," said Olweny.
"Fraud deprives everybody else of resources that would have been used to take care of healthcare," he added.
Enforcement of action among individuals involved in fraud he said has been an issue at NHIF.
SHA governs three funds, namely Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), the Primary Healthcare Fund, and the Emergency, Critical and Chronic Fund.
Money paid by Kenyans shall go to SHIF, whereas the government will allocate money to run the primary healthcare fund provided at Level 2 and 3 hospitals.
The National Treasury will also allocate money to the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund, which will serve patients at Level 4, 5 and 6 hospitals.
Public participation in the new health scheme is ongoing after the Court of Appeal lifted orders that suspended the implementation of the Social Health Insurance Act 2023.