The Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) has recently succeeded the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) in Kenya. As a critical component of the country’s health insurance system, SHIF provides financial protection for medical services, ensuring that Kenyans can access quality healthcare without facing overwhelming out-of-pocket expenses. One of the most convenient ways to pay for SHIF Premium contributions is through M-Pesa, Kenya’s leading mobile money service.
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This guide will walk you through the entire process of paying SHIF via M-Pesa, including additional tips and troubleshooting advice to ensure a smooth transaction.
What is Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF)?
The Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) in Kenya, is a public health insurance scheme under the Social Health Authority (SHA) designed to enhance access to healthcare services for all Kenyans. Established to provide financial protection against high medical costs, SHIF aims to reduce the economic burden of healthcare on individuals and families. The rebranding from NHIF to SHIF reflects a broader commitment to improving and expanding health coverage across the country, ensuring that more citizens can benefit from affordable and comprehensive medical care.
SHIF operates through a system of pooled contributions from both individuals and employers. Contributions are mandatory for formal sector employees, while informal sector workers can participate voluntarily. The pooled resources are used to cover a wide range of healthcare services, including hospitalizations, outpatient care, maternity services, and preventive care. This collective approach helps to distribute the financial risk associated with healthcare costs, making it more manageable for individuals who might otherwise struggle to afford necessary treatments.
The transition from NHIF to SHIF is part of Kenya’s broader effort to strengthen its health insurance system and move towards universal health coverage. This change aims to address previous challenges and enhance the fund’s effectiveness in meeting the healthcare needs of Kenyans. By expanding coverage and improving service delivery, SHIF seeks to ensure that all citizens, particularly those in underserved and vulnerable communities, have access to quality health services without facing significant financial strain.
Effective management and oversight are crucial for the success of SHIF. The fund must maintain transparency in its operations, ensure efficient processing of claims, and regularly audit its financial activities to safeguard its sustainability. By focusing on these areas, SHIF can better serve its beneficiaries, improve health outcomes, and contribute to the overall goal of achieving universal health coverage in Kenya.
Why Use M-Pesa for SHIF Payments?
M-Pesa is a popular mobile money platform that offers a convenient, secure, and efficient way to manage financial transactions. For many Kenyans, M-Pesa is the go-to solution for various payments, including SHIF contributions. The benefits of using M-Pesa for SHIF payments include:
- Accessibility: M-Pesa is widely available across Kenya, making it accessible even in remote areas.
- Convenience: Payments can be made from anywhere at any time, eliminating the need to visit physical offices.
- Efficiency: Transactions are processed quickly, and you receive instant confirmation, providing peace of mind that your payment has been successfully completed.
- Record Keeping: M-Pesa provides digital records of transactions, which can be useful for tracking payments and managing your SHIF account.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
You can also pay for SHIF Premium Contributions using M-Pesa Paybill Number. To learn how to pay SHIF using M-Pesa Paybill Number, check our article on: How to Pay SHIF Premium Contributions using Paybill Number
How to Pay SHIF via M-Pesa
SHIF Premium Contributions are determined after doing the Means Testing on Afyayangu.go.ke account. This test will determine the amount of SHIF Premium Contributions that will have to be made either Monthly or Yearly. There are two ways that you can use to pay SHIF Premium Contributions i.e. via USSD code *147# or via the Afyayangu.go.ke Portal.
1. Pay SHIF Premium Contribution using USSD code *147#
The USSD code *147# allows individuals to make SHIF Premium Contributions quickly and easily. To use this option, you need to ensure the phone number is the one registered on SHIF and M-PESA is active on that number. Below are the main steps that you need to follow to pay your SHIF Premium Contributions using M-PESA with ease.
NOTE: Ensure the number you are using to dial *147# is the one registered on Social Health Authority (SHA). The SHIF Premium Contribution (the amount that you will be paying) is determined only after you have done the Means Testing on your account at Afyayangu.go.ke and got the amount that you will be paying Monthly or Yearly. This amount is known as the SHIF Premium Contribution.
Step 1: Dial *147# on your phone.
Step 2: Select ID Type: Option 1 – Kenyan Citizen
Step 3: Enter your Kenyan ID Number
Step 4: Select: Option 1 – Pay
Step 5: Choose who to pay for: Option 1 – Self
Step 6: Choose the payment you would like to pay: Option 1 – SHIF Monthly Contribution
Step 7: Your SHIF Premium Contribution (Amount is shown): Option 1 – Pay
Step 8: Wait to receive an M-PESA prompt notification on your phone
Step 9: Enter your M-PESA PIN and confirm payment to complete transaction
Step 10: Successful payment of your SHIF Premium Monthly Contribution
You will receive an SMS from Social Health Authority (SHA) confirming that your payment has been successfully credited to your SHIF account.
2. Pay SHIF Premium Contribution using Afyayangu.go.ke
The Afyayangu.go.ke Portal has the M-PESA STK Push method which is used to push a prompt to a customer’s phone, asking the customer to enter the M-PESA PIN to complete the payment of SHIF Premium Contributions i.e either Monthly or Yearly.
This method of SHIF contribution payment is powered by M-PESA and any number that is registered on M-PESA can be used to pay the Monthly or Yearly SHIF Premium Contributions for the SHIF account holder. Below are the maion steps that you need to follow to pay SHIF Premium Contributions using Afyayangu.go.ke Portal.
NOTE: You need to ensure that you have completed the Means Testing first before you can start making payments and contirbutions for SHIF. This Means Test will calculate the Monthly or Yearly payments that you will be making.
Step 1: Visit Afyayangu.go.ke Portal
Step 2: Login to your Afyayangu.go.ke Account Dashboard
Step 3: SHIF Premium Contribution Dashboard
Step 4: Click on the “Pay” button
Step 5: Top Up with M-PESA – SHIF Premium Contributions
Step 6: Enter phone number paying the SHIF Premium Contribution
Step 7: Select Period: 1 Month or 1 Year
Step 8: Click on the “Pay” button
Step 9: Wait to receive an M-PESA STK Push prompt notification on your phone
Step 10: Enter your M-PESA PIN and confirm payment to complete transaction
Step 11: Successful payment of your SHIF Premium Contribution
You will receive an SMS from Social Health Authority (SHA) confirming that your payment has been successfully credited to your SHIF account.
Conclusion
Paying for your Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) contributions via M-Pesa is a convenient and efficient method that aligns with Kenya’s increasingly digital payment landscape. By following the detailed steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your payments are processed correctly and on time.
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Utilizing M-Pesa for SHIF payments not only simplifies the process but also enhances your ability to manage your health insurance contributions effectively. Embrace this digital payment option to support your health coverage and enjoy the benefits of seamless financial transactions.
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