Illnesses usually come when we least expect them, and they can easily lead to enormous financial stress, especially if you live in Kenya. Since we can't always rely on fundraisers whenever we need financial help, it's best to be prepared with health insurance if an unforeseen illness comes knocking. The National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) is undoubtedly one of the best preventive healthcare measures that the government of Kenya has put in place to help Kenyans pay for individual and dependent medical expenses.
Whether you're on payroll or self-employed, you can make a monthly contribution to NHIF via a bank account or M-Pesa pay bill to access affordable or sometimes free medical services in any NHIF-accredited outpatient hospital. Even though NHIF is simple, Kenyans still have many questions, including 'how do I check my NHIF contribution status?'
Generally, there are three ways you can check your NHIF status. For instance, you can visit one of the NHIF offices in Nairobi and have an attendant provide you with all the details you need. Fortunately, this is no longer trending. Kenyans can now check their NHIF contribution status via their phones, thanks to modern technology.
Read on to learn how.
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The NHIF has an official website to access information regarding its services and operations. Nowadays, you can check your NHIF account status online using the NHIF self-care website (www.nhif.or.ke) to save yourself the hassle of standing in line at one of the NHIF offices. Here is a step-by-step procedure on how to do it:
- Visit the official NHIF online portal.
- Sign up to gain access to the self-service portal. If it's your first time visiting the website, you'll be required to register an account to access the services. Alternatively, if you already have a registered account with NHIF, you can sign in to your account,
- If you're registering for the first time, you'll be required to input your NHIF card number, email address, and working phone number in case they need to contact you. Once you've submitted your details, you'll receive an SMS on your phone with a One-Time Password (OTP). The password is valid for 24 hours only.
- Create a password. Using the OTP, you can create the password that you'll use to access the NHIF self-service portal. The password should be easy to remember but not so obvious that someone else can guess it. If you forget your password, you can easily reset it using your email address.
- Log in to the account and proceed to check your NHIF contribution status. You'll be able to view your last contributions, the months you've defaulted, and your activation.
- Log out. After you've finished checking your NHIF contribution status, you need to log out. Leaving your account without logging out exposes your biodata to hackers.
Mobile phones are electronic devices that have taken centre stage in the lives of many Kenyans. On top of accessing social media platforms and entertainment, you can also use your mobile phone and ID number to check your NHIF status. It is as simple as using a USSD code.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to go about it:
- Go to your phone's main menu and tap on the messaging icon
- Once the messaging application opens, compose a new SMS
- Type ID, add space, and then type your ID number or passport number in the message space. For instance, ID 46464646
- Send the message to 21101
- You will receive a message with information about your NHIF account status after a short while
The NHIF will send you a text message with your employer's name and the last time you made your monthly payment. While this service is simple and effective, it will cost you Ksh.10 in airtime as a service charge. It works for Safaricom and Airtel customers.
An alternative way of checking your NHIF status is by emailing customercare@nhif.or.ke. However, this service usually takes a while since it requires a human correspond to check your details and email them back. After a few hours or days, you'll receive a statement in PDF form bearing your NHIF status.
If you've been making your NHIF monthly contributions, the above tips are meant to make it easier and faster for you to check your NHIF payments, status, and arrears from the comfort of your home. When you understand these steps, you'll no longer have to take time off your busy schedule to visit an office for your NHIF statement.
