Taxpayers to fund proposed Medical cover for civil servants outside SHIF

The government of Kenya is planning to introduce a new medical insurance scheme specifically for civil servants, outside of the recently launched Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF). This proposal comes from the Treasury Cabinet Secretary, John Mbadi, who has introduced regulations to establish the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund.

[ays_block_subscribe id=’1′]

The proposed fund would provide additional coverage to civil servants and disciplined service members when they surpass their SHIF coverage limits. This new scheme would be primarily funded through taxpayer money appropriated by the National Assembly, as well as contributions from the ministry responsible for public service and any other employers who choose to contribute.

Under the proposed scheme, eligible state officers would receive comprehensive coverage for outpatient, inpatient, dental, optical, and annual medical check-ups for up to six dependents, without any out-of-pocket costs. Additional benefits would include access to road ambulances, emergency air rescue services, overseas treatment, and life and last expense coverages. This level of coverage is typically found only in high-end private insurance plans.

The new scheme would replace the former Medical Insurance Scheme for Civil Servants and Disciplined Services, which was wound down alongside the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) during the recent healthcare system transition. The Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund would be administered by the Social Health Authority (SHA) and overseen by a select committee comprising principal secretaries from the Treasury, Medical Services, and Public Service, along with SHA board members.

It’s worth noting that while public officers would benefit from the enhanced coverage under the proposed scheme, the benefits and limits under the SHIF for the general public will remain uniform, regardless of their monthly contributions to the national insurance scheme.

Here’s what it means for you:

1. A portion of public funds that could have been allocated to improving the SHIF or the broader healthcare system will now be directed towards a separate insurance scheme for civil servants.
2. By introducing a more comprehensive and generous medical insurance scheme specifically for civil servants, it could create a two-tier healthcare system.
3. There may be concerns about the transparency and accountability in the management of this specialized fund, especially if it is primarily financed by taxpayer money.
4. The creation of a separate medical insurance scheme for civil servants could add a significant financial burden on the government’s healthcare budget in the long run.

[/ays_block_subscribe]