Mailu suspends NHIF move cutting outpatient visits to four a year

Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu has suspended with immediate effect the decision by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to limit outpatient visits for families to only four per year until further notice.

In a statement to the media, Mailu indicated that this decision will hold until further consultations are held between the NHIF board and other stakeholders.

“Meanwhile patients should continue the services as it has been the case before. A full statement will be issued soon.” said Mailu

This comes barely two days after the medical fund announced a cap of four hospital visits a year with members being required to seek special clearance from the state owned health insurer to continue accessing services.

Speaking on Thursday, NHIF chief executive officer Geoffrey Mwangi said the newly effected changes will help the fund prevent abuse of health financing while improving service delivery to members.

The decision was informed after introduction of the fixed fee for service package that will see NHIF members access their benefits without having to choose an outpatient facility.

Unlike the NHIF, private insurers issue cash limits to policy takers.

NHIF collects between Sh150 and Sh1,700 from members depending on their salary scale and a flat fee of Sh500 from those self employed.

NHIF has been up scaling its operations to boost coverage recently adding products such as MRIs and surgeries to its offering.

The state health insurer has at the same time scrapped the co-pay element, where members used to pay a certain amount to access health care services.

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