The Social Health Authority (SHA) in Kenya has given healthcare facilities a 14-day ultimatum to renew their contracts or risk losing access to patients covered under the scheme. This extension comes after the previous deadline of September 30 lapsed. SHA CEO Mercy Mwangangi stated that facilities will continue operating under their existing contracts during the 14-day extension period.
The extension, which is set to end on October 14, allows healthcare providers to complete the contracting process for the 2026-2029 cycle. Facilities that do not complete the process by the new deadline will not be able to continue providing services to SHA beneficiaries. Mwangangi emphasized that at the end of the 14 days, existing contracts will lapse and no further extension will be granted.
Under the extension, healthcare facilities will receive an extension to their healthcare provider contracts through the e-contracting platform. Providers must confirm acceptance, sign, and return the agreement within three days to maintain continuity of services. SHA said that 10,006 providers have expressed interest and are at various stages of the contracting process.
Facilities that have not completed the process have been directed to work with their respective SHA county managers to arrange the transfer of patients receiving ongoing care to contracted providers. The authority will hold dedicated Hakika contracting clinics in every county from October 5, through its county offices, to help providers complete the process for the 2026-2029 cycle.
Mwangangi stated that the schedule for the clinics and the requirements for providers will be posted on the SHA website. Facilities with all the required documents have been urged to complete the contracting process without waiting for the October 14 deadline. This move aims to ensure that patients continue to receive healthcare services without interruption.
The SHA has been working to streamline the contracting process for healthcare providers. The authority's efforts aim to improve the delivery of healthcare services to beneficiaries. By renewing contracts, healthcare facilities can continue to provide essential services to patients covered under the SHA scheme.
Healthcare facilities that fail to renew their contracts will not be able to provide services to SHA beneficiaries after the 14-day extension period. This may lead to disruptions in healthcare services for patients who rely on these facilities. The SHA's contracting process is crucial in ensuring that patients receive quality healthcare services.
Key points
- Healthcare facilities in Kenya have 14 days to renew their Social Health Authority contracts or risk losing patients covered under the scheme.
- The extension period, which ends on October 14, allows healthcare providers to complete the contracting process for the 2026-2029 cycle.
- Facilities that do not complete the process by the new deadline will not be able to continue providing services to SHA beneficiaries.
