The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) is a government agency in Kenya that provides medical insurance to Kenyan citizens. NHIF payments can be made through various channels, including mobile money platforms. However, with effect from December 8, 2023, all NHIF payments through mobile money platforms shall only be made through the Government Pay bill. In this blog post, we will discuss how to make NHIF payments using the new official government Paybill number.
NHIF Paybill Number
The NHIF Paybill number is 222222. To make payments, follow the steps below:
- Go to your mobile money menu and select Lipa na M-PESA.
- Select Paybill and enter the NHIF Paybill number, which is 222222.
- Enter your NHIF account number as the account number. The NHIF account number is a unique number assigned to you by NHIF. If you do not know your account number, you can check it by sending an SMS with the word “ID”, a space, then your national ID number to 21101.
- Enter the amount you want to pay. The minimum amount you can pay is Kshs. 150 while the maximum is Kshs. 140,000.
- Enter your M-PESA PIN to complete the transaction.
Once you have completed the transaction, NHIF will receive notification immediately, and your account will be updated accordingly.
Enter Paybill Number 222222 and use the following as Account Numbers:
1. Member contribution (NHIFM-ID NUMBER e.g. NHIFM-11223344)
2. Member Penalty (NHIFP-ID NUMBER e.g. NHIFP-11223344)
3. Employer Contribution (NHIFE-ESlip NUMBER e.g. NHIFE-112233)
4. Employer Penalty (NHIFEP-EMPLOYER CODE e.g. NHIFEP-11223)
NHIF Payment Options
Apart from the mobile money platform, NHIF payments can also be made through other channels, including:
- Bank deposit: You can deposit your NHIF contributions directly into the NHIF bank account. The account details are available on the NHIF website.
- NHIF offices: You can visit any NHIF office and make your payments in person.
- M-PESA: You can also make NHIF payments using M-PESA. However, with effect from December 8, 2023, all NHIF payments through mobile money platforms shall only be made through the Government Pay bill.
NHIF Contributions
NHIF contributions are mandatory for all employed Kenyans and voluntary for self-employed individuals. The contributions for employed individuals are automatically remitted by their employers. However, those in the informal sector can pay via bank or M-PESA. The contributions of voluntary and self-employed individuals are Ksh. 500 per month. You can decide how many months you want to pay for. Existing members are required to pay on or before the 9th of the following month to avoid penalties.
NHIF Penalties
If you default on your NHIF contributions for more than 12 months, you will be treated like a new entrant/member in the scheme. You can reactivate your NHIF cover by paying KES 1,500, which will act as your three months’ contribution. You will then have to wait for 2 months (60 days) from the date of payment for your cover to be active. You are advised to subsequently make monthly payments to avoid penalties. If you default on your monthly contributions, a penalty of 10% (KES 50) of the voluntary monthly contribution will be surcharged. A member will be required to pay outstanding arrears and/or penalties to access services.
Conclusion
NHIF payments are an essential part of healthcare in Kenya. With the new official government Paybill number, making NHIF payments has become easier and more convenient. You can make payments through various channels, including mobile money platforms, bank deposits, and NHIF offices. Remember to make your payments on time to avoid penalties and ensure that your NHIF cover remains active.