It is now mandatory in Kenya for salaried public and state officers to contribute a given percentage of their gross salary towards the National Health Insurance Fund, NHIF. According to the current NHIF rates, the employer must remit 2% of the employee’s gross salary subject to a maximum of Ksh. 1,700 if the gross income exceeds Ksh. 100,000.
While NHIF insurance membership is compulsory for those employed in the formal sector, those in the informal sector, self-employed and retirees are free to join voluntarily. For those in formal employment, contributions are pegged on their gross income.
NHIF offers inpatient and outpatient services in accredited hospitals. The principal member and dependents must have registered for NHIF membership and selected outpatient facilities for each of the family members before accessing the services.
NHIF Monthly Contribution Charges
Monthly Contribution Rates for the Self Employed
Those in the informal sector, self-employed, retirees and voluntary individuals pay the fixed NHIF rate of Ksh. 500 per month or Ksh. 6,000 per year.
NHIF Monthly Contribution Rates for Employees
The table shows the current NHIF payment rates that are deducted by employers from their employees’ salaries at the end of each month. The rates are based on 2% of an individual’s gross income, with a maximum cap of Ksh. 1,700 for those earning Ksh. 100,000 or above.
The lowest contribution for individuals under formal employment is Ksh. 150 for those earning between 0 and 5,999 shillings.
| Employee’s Monthly Gross Income (Ksh) | NHIF Rates Per Month (Ksh) |
|---|---|
| 6,000 – 7,999 | 300 |
| 8,000 – 11,999 | 400 |
| 12,000 – 14,999 | 500 |
| 15,000 – 19,999 | 600 |
| 20,000 – 24,999 | 750 |
| 25,000 – 29,999 | 850 |
| 30,000 – 34,999 | 900 |
| 35,000 – 39,999 | 950 |
| 40,000 – 44,999 | 1,000 |
| 45,000 – 49,999 | 1,100 |
| 50,000 – 59,999 | 1,200 |
| 60,000 – 69,999 | 1,300 |
| 70,000 – 79,999 | 1,400 |
| 80,000 – 89,999 | 1,500 |
| 90,000 – 99,999 | 1,600 |
| 100,000 and above | 1,700 |
NHIF Penalties for Late Remittances
If the employer fails to remit the employee’s NHIF contributions by the 9th of every month, the employer will be liable to pay late payment penalties. However, this will not affect NHIF service delivery to the scheme members.
For the self-employed, failure to pay contributions by the 9th of every month will incur penalties amounting to 50% of the monthly contribution. That’s 50% of Ksh. 500 which comes to Ksh. 250 on top of the previous month’s premiums.
If you are prone to consistent late NHIF monthly payments, you will be required, in addition to penalties, to pay upfront which can be a year’s contribution.
You can find out how to pay the penalties and monthly charges here: How to pay NHIF Premiums and Penalties, view account status.
Activating NHIF Card after Default (Self-Employed)
If your NHIF card has been inactive for over 12 months due to default, you can reactivate it by paying the NHIF reactivation fee of Ksh. 1500. Note that after reactivating the card, you will have to wait for 60 days before you can use it again.
The Ksh. 1500 will enable you to start afresh and will cover three months. You will however still retain the same membership number though the card will be restricted for two months.
You can pay the NHIF reactivation fee through M-PESA paybill number 200222. Use your national ID as the account number.
NHIF Schemes Categories
NHIF provides 4 insurance schemes to various categories of its members:
- EduAfya Scheme is a unique Comprehensive Medical Insurance Cover for public secondary school students during the duration of Study.
- Linda Mama package enables expectant women and infants to have access to quality and affordable health services.
- Civil Servants Scheme is a medical insurance package negotiated by the government and NHIF for all civil servants in Kenya.
- The National Supa Cover products and services offer medical cover to those in formal and informal employment.
Read also:
- How to Choose or Change NHIF Outpatient Facility Online, USSD Code or App
- NHIF Branches, Offices Location and Contacts