CS Nakhumicha warns private hospitals against inflating NHIF bills

Health Cabinet Secretary Wafula Nakhumicha has cautioned private hospitals and medics against allegedly exaggerating National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) bills by issuing fake patient records.

Addressing the press on Tuesday at the Lugulu Mission Hospital in Bungoma County, CS Nakhumicha warned that action would be taken against facilities that are fraudulently overcharging patients who are beneficiaries of the NHIF scheme.

This followed a move by the Rural Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) to have NHIF beneficiaries in rural areas start paying cash for crucial health services over delays by the government to disburse funds for the last six months.

Regarding appeals by the RUPHA, the CS said the government has since disbursed payments for the hospitals to resume service delivery.

CS Nakhumicha at the same time defended the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) that is currently in court saying it would help benefit the ordinary citizen.

“Kenyans are going to access critical health care through the SHIF. I want you to pray for me, the President and the judges listening to the case so that it is thrown out and we continue with the good work,” she said.