The Social Health Authority (SHA) in Kenya has issued a directive to healthcare providers nationwide, requiring them to complete the renewal of their service contracts by September 30. This step is crucial for healthcare facilities to continue treating beneficiaries under the new 2026–2029 contracting cycle. The current contracts are set to expire on September 30, 2026, at 11:59 pm.
Healthcare providers must execute new agreements before the deadline to ensure uninterrupted services to SHA beneficiaries. According to SHA's notice, providers without executed contracts for the 2026–2029 cycle will not be allowed to offer services to SHA beneficiaries from October 1. This move aims to streamline healthcare services under the new contracting cycle.
The SHA has emphasized that providers seeking to continue offering services must finalize their applications through the SHA E-Contracting Portal before the deadline. Failure to complete the contracting process will result in access to the SHA provider portal being switched off, rendering them unable to provide services to beneficiaries.
Healthcare facilities that fail to complete the contracting process by the deadline have been advised to make arrangements for patients receiving ongoing care to be transferred to contracted providers. This measure is intended to avoid interruptions in treatment for patients. The SHA has urged all providers to complete outstanding contracting requirements promptly.
The deadline coincides with the expiry of an extended compliance period for the Health Management Information System (HMIS) requirements, which also ends on September 30. Under the new contracting arrangements, hospitals are required to have their digital systems certified and integrated with the Digital Health Agency (DHA) to remain eligible to provide services under SHA.
The push for new contracts has been met with concerns from private and faith-based hospital associations over certain provisions in the 2026–2029 contracting terms. Specifically, stakeholders have raised concerns about clauses making SHA payments conditional on National Assembly appropriations and another provision stating that no interest will accrue on delayed payments.
Despite these concerns, the SHA has maintained the September 30 deadline, warning that providers without executed contracts will lose access to its provider portal and will not be permitted to serve SHA beneficiaries from October 1. Providers seeking clarification have been directed to contact SHA through its customer service channels.
Key points
- Healthcare providers must renew contracts by September 30.
- Failure to renew contracts will result in loss of access to SHA provider portal.
- New contracts require digital systems certification and integration with DHA.
