What to do if you dont pay NHIF for one year

Economic fluctuations, personal emergencies, and changes in financial circumstances can lead to missed payments.

These payments can stretch to a year-long and leave you with no health insurance cover if you entirely depend on NHIF.

If you have not paid your National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) contributions for more than a year, there is a provision that can help alleviate the burden of accumulated penalties and allow you to restart your contributions without the additional financial strain.

An AI-generated image of a patient-in-a-hospital-reception Pulse Live Kenya

READ: How to check your NHIF status in 2024: A comprehensive step-by-step guide

Here’s a detailed explanation of what happens and the steps you can take to reactivate your NHIF card.

Waiver of penalties

According to the NHIF policy, if your card has been inactive for over 12 months due to non-payment, you are eligible for a waiver of all accumulated penalties.

This policy is designed to assist members who may have faced financial difficulties, preventing them from making regular payments.

By waiving penalties, NHIF helps members regain their health insurance benefits without being burdened by the high costs that could have accrued during the period of inactivity.

Reactivating your NHIF card

Once you decide to restart your contributions, your NHIF card will not be immediately active.

NHIF card Pulse Live Kenya

READ: Health CS: Why 2.75% SHIF salary deductions start in March but services start in July

There is a waiting period. Your card will be active after 2 months (60 days). During this time, NHIF processes your reactivation request and ensures that all administrative requirements are fulfilled before reinstating your health coverage.

Steps to reactivate your NHIF coverage

If you default for more than a year, you are treated like a new entrant in the scheme.

They can reactivate their NHIF cover by paying Sh1,500 which will act as your three months’ contribution.

You will then have to wait for 2 months (60 days) from the date of payment for your cover to be active. You are then advised to subsequently make monthly payments to avoid penalties.

NHIF offices Pulse Live Kenya

READ: How SHIF contributions will affect unemployed & non-salaried Kenyans

Reactivating your NHIF cover means that you will once again have access to the comprehensive medical coverage provided by NHIF, which includes outpatient and inpatient services, maternity care, and surgery, among other benefits.

This is crucial for mitigating out-of-pocket medical expenses and ensuring that you and your family receive necessary medical care without undue financial stress.