The National Hospital Insurance Fund has diversified its operations by introducing low cost medical cover that targets retirees.

The Fund's acting Chief Executive Officer, Richard Kerich, says the new package will ensure continued membership and enjoyment of medical cover by retirees.

At a cost of Sh160 a month, retirees will now be able to be covered by the Fund as opposed to Sh360 normal contribution.

"This will more than justify the funds motto of "social insurer of choice."

Kerich said the NHIF wants to ensure that the public continues to enjoy affordable healthcare. The Fund has contracted about 380 hospitals countrywide to provide this new cover and partial cover for its members.

These hospitals have been categorised into three segments, which define the quality of healthcare services provided.

"With all Government hospitals and nearly three-quarters of private and mission hospitals contracted under this new arrangement, our contributors will be able to access quality healthcare in majority of these facilities, except for a few high cost hospitals," said Kerich.

The first category of hospitals is contracted under category A contract, which covers all government hospitals.

"Under this new system, any member admitted into hospitals will be able to enjoy full and comprehensive medical cover for maternity and medical diseases including surgery," explained Kerich.


Contract B will include mission, small and medium hospitals. Patients admitted to these hospitals will enjoy full and comprehensive cover but where surgery is required, they will meet the cost.

He said high cost hospitals fall under contract C will see patients continue with the current system where NHIF pays for daily bed charges.