Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has officially launched the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) Pending Claims Verification Committee to scrutinize and validate outstanding medical claims submitted between July 1, 2022, and September 30, 2024.
Speaking during the launch on Monday, Duale emphasized that the government is committed to settling all legitimate claims. "Hospitals with claims below Sh10 million will be paid without delay, while the remaining 9 percent, whose claims exceed Sh10 million, will undergo a thorough verification exercise within 90 days, after which a payment plan will be agreed upon for all genuine claims," said CS Duale.
Duale emphasized that the committee's mandate is to establish a clear framework to assess the authenticity of each claim, recommend action on fraudulent submissions, and propose reforms to prevent future accumulation of unverified claims. "I challenge this committee to identify and root out any fraud or corruption in the healthcare financing system, and where wrongdoing is found, you must recommend the necessary disciplinary or legal action without fear or favor," said the CS. "This initiative is part of our broader effort to restore public trust, transparency, and accountability in the management of healthcare funds," he added.
Addressing concerns over financial constraints in the sector, Duale acknowledged the challenges facing key healthcare providers but insisted that fiscal prudence must prevail. "Every shilling must count; value for money, transparency, and accountability are non-negotiable," he affirmed.
