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 2.75% of the employee’s gross salary, every month, effective October 2023.
In the new changes, even those employed in the private sector will have to remit 2.75% of their gross pay each month.
The unemployed members of the public and those working in the informal sector will now pay a minimum of Ksh. 300, down from Ksh. 500, monthly.
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 and Unemployed
Those in the informal sector, self-employed, retirees and voluntary individuals pay the fixed NHIF rate of Ksh. 300 per month or Ksh. 3,600 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 2.75% of an individual’s gross income. The maximum cap of Ksh. 1,700 for those earning Ksh. 100,000 or above has been scrapped.
There’s a newly introduced NHIF relief on the new charges. That’s you will pay 8% less of the new NHIF charges.
Employees earning below Ksh. 30,000 will see their monthly NHIF deductions reduce by between 5% and 46%.
| Employee’s Monthly Gross Income (Ksh) | NHIF Rates Per Month (Ksh) |
|---|---|
| 6,000 – 7,999 | 152 – 202 |
| 8,000 – 11,999 | 202- 304 |
| 12,000 – 14,999 | 304- 380 |
| 15,000 – 19,999 | 380 – 506 |
| 20,000 – 24,999 | 506 – 633 |
| 25,000 – 29,999 | 633 – 759 |
| 30,000 – 34,999 | 759 – 886 |
| 35,000 – 39,999 | 886 – 1,012 |
| 40,000 – 44,999 | 1,012 – 1,139 |
| 45,000 – 49,999 | 1,139 – 1,265 |
| 50,000 – 59,999 | 1,265 – 1,518 |
| 60,000 – 69,999 | 1,518 – 1,771 |
| 70,000 – 79,999 | 1,771 – 2,024 |
| 80,000 – 89,999 | 2,024 – 2,277 |
| 90,000 – 99,999 | 2,277 – 2,530 |
| 100,000 – 150,000 | 2,530 – 3,795 |
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
How do retired civil servants who were in job L and above and are able to pay any premium membership can be catered for?
It not far to subject them to the 500 a month and yet they can still pay the 1700 and continue to enjoy the scheme they are used to in hospitals of Thier choice
How do I chack my account and whether employer has been remitting my contributions over years have worked
Hi Erastus. Download the myNHIF app and login to view premiums status.
What services can I get for outpatient/inpatients…my deductions per month is 1700 and my hospital of choice is Mama Lucy kibaki hos
Please have a look at List of NHIF Services in Kenya, NHIF Supa Cover Products and Services
Can expats get the same coverage for self-employed?
Can coverage begin in the middle of treatment or after treatment?
What are the products for food r self contributors.do they get last respect benefits
Which category do you provide for previously employed Kenyans who relocate their employment to abroad?
When will the new rates take effect and does that mean that activating NHIF card will also come down, and if so to how much?
Pls clarify. Thank you.