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NHIF Lifts Hospital Choice Restriction |
| Source: |
Daily Nation |
| Source Date: |
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 |
| Focus: |
ICT for MDGs
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| Country: |
Kenya |
| Created: |
Jan 17, 2012 |
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Public servants now have the option of choosing the hospital they would want to seek treatment under the new comprehensive medical insurance cover unveiled by the government.
The decision was made on Monday following a meeting of officials from the Kenya Union of Civil Servants (KUCS) and the National Hospital Insurance Fund, which is providing the cover.
NHIF chief executive Richard Kerich said public servants would not be compelled to visit the hospital they had been assigned earlier.
"Changes have now been made and the civil servants can now choose the hospitals they prefer," Mr Kerich said on Monday at a news conference in Nairobi. The decision was welcomed by the workers union secretary general, Mr Tom Odege. "Our members can now rush to the nearest NHIF branches or DOs' offices and get the forms in which they will fill in the name of their preferred hospital," Mr Odege said. He said that 600 public servants would be trained on how the scheme works from next week. It is them who will orient their colleagues.
Mr Kerich said they had offered the civil servants a window to change the hospitals they wanted to seek treatment.
He said the scheme had taken off successfully "beyond our expectation".
By Monday, at least 19,231 civil servants had utilised the outpatient services countrywide, with 18 others being admitted. Sadly, said Mr Kerich, 11 deaths were reported.
"In fact, 92 per cent of those who have utilised the new medical scheme are satisfied with it," he explained.
"We are making payments to beneficiaries of our members who have died within 24 hours," he said.
He said that he had held discussions with Provincial Directors of Medical Services and faith-based medical institutions, who had agreed to treat their members.
"The problem is still with the private hospitals...we are yet to agree on a number of issues and it might take some time," he said.
Under the scheme, each patient will only be required to pay Sh100 as co-payment in public hospitals, while those visiting high cost private hospitals will be required to pay Sh200--an arrangement that will also cover the National Youth Service and Kenya Prisons staff.
Each of the 220,000-plus staff under the scheme will be allowed to register four dependants -- a spouse and three children.
Children must be under 18 but those still in school or college qualify until they are 25.
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NHIF Lifts Hospital Choice Restriction Public servants now have the option of choosing the hospital they would want to seek treatment under the new comprehensive medical insurance cover unveiled by the government
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