The National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) will reportedly effect new tariffs beginning October 1st 2012, reliable sources have disclosed. The rates which were marred by controversy earlier this year will see high income earners submit KES 2,000 monthly while those earning below KES 6,000 will pay KES 150 a month. These new tariffs will enable all contributors to access comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services regardless of the contribution made. The current NHIF scheme takes care of outpatient needs only.

[Read: NHIF Stopped From Effecting New Tariffs]

Self Employed persons = KES 500.00

Indigents (Voluntary) = KES 300.00

Earlier this year, COTU secretary-general  Francis Atwoli had issued a public strike notice effective 14th of May if NHIF went ahead with its plans to implement the new payment scheme. Atwoli accused NHIF chief executive Richard Kerich and three other unnamed politicians of being behind the increment to raise funds for campaigns. This further prompted Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka to direct Labour minister John Munyes to delay the roll-out of the enhanced NHIF contributions in order to allow consultations and resolutions of the dispute with Cotu over the new fees.