Health care cost continues to rise, and still remains one of the biggest challenge for most of the governments, Kenya is not excluded. Even with NHIF in place citizens are not yet fully covered for.
We will try to break on how to plan for the ever rising health care costs; first for the unemployed then second for the employed citizens.
How to plan for your Healthcare cost if you are unemployed
- Go for the NHIF SUPA Cover
NHIF SUPA Cover is Kenya’s largest, reliable, accessible and affordable medical insurance cover that enables you and your loved ones to enjoy an unparalleled benefit package. It only costs Kshs. 500 per month for the principal members and beneficiaries(the people you registered under your care)
Reasons you should go for it;
- Outpatient Services – Consultation, Laboratory, investigations, daycare procedures, drugs and dispensation, health education, wellness and counselling, physiotherapy services, immunization,/ vaccines as per the KEPI schedule
- Inpatient Services
- Maternal care – Antenatal and Prenatal care and deliveries (Normal delivery and caesarian section)
- Reproductive health services : Family Planning
- Renal Dialysis
- Overseas treatment for specialized surgeries not available locally
- Rehabilitation for drugs and substance abuse
- All surgical procedures including transplants
- Emergency road evacuation services
- Radiology imaging services (X-rays, CT Scan, & MRI)
- Cancer Treatment
2. Fitness
Maintaining fitness does not necessarily mean subscribing to a gym club membership. but if you can afford it comfortably then its advised you do. on the other hand maintaining fitness is simple as using the stairs and not the elevators. Or, try going for a walk or a run. The important thing is that you get active.
3. Stress Management
Evaluating the effectiveness of various stress management techniques can be difficult but it can be simple as;
- Keep yourself organized to eliminate unnecessary and preventable stress.
- Listen to music more than watching TV
- Make time everyday, even if it’s just 10 minutes, for relaxation and reflection.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Allow at least 30 minutes of quiet relaxing activity before bed at night, e.g. reading.
4. Nutrition
Good nutrition is a critical part of health and development. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), better nutrition is related to improved health at all ages, a lower risk of diseases, and longevity.
How to plan for your Healthcare cost if you’re Employed
For those who are blessed , mostly they get a medical cover provided by their employers. something to be grateful for. Even though these kind of Health Insurance plan don’t come with other kind of cover like Optical or dental Cover; something which you can not be worried for.
As an employee provided with a medical care cover or not, you contribute to the statutory requirement to contribute to the National Scheme of NHIF. Its wise to be knowledgeable about using your NHIF first then your provided private Health Insurance. This is to make use of both of the plans maximumly.
1. The NHIF Comprehensive Cover
- The scope of benefits includes comprehensive outpatient and inpatient
- medical treatment both within the country and overseas for the principal
- member and eligible dependents. In addition the cover provides for
- Group Life and Last Expense Cover for the Principal Member.
- 4.1 Out-patient Cover
- The outpatient benefit package includes both curative & preventive
- services which comprise, but not limited to:
- Consultation
- Laboratory investigations
- Drugs administration & dispensing
- Dental health care services
- Radiological examinations
- Nursing and midwifery services
- Maternal Child Health/Family Planning
- Minor surgical procedures
- Rehabilitation services
- Annual medical check-up
- Referral for Specialized Services
- Ambulance services
- Day care services such as Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA), surgery and other medical services deemed fit by the clinician e.g. cases whereby a clinician may use the local anesthesia to numb a particular part of the body which may include minor surgery like incision, drainage and suturing of wounds.
- Dental Care – The Dental Cover includes dental consultation, orthodontics, root canal, dentures, Cost of filling, X-rays and Extractions including surgical extractions together with anesthetics fees, hospital and operating theatre cost. The Dental Cover can be accessed as per the provided limits in Table B on a Fee for Service basis.
- Optical Care – A member shall benefit in the proportion of expenses on a Fee for Service 12 basis as shown on table B for the cost of the eye glasses and eye testing.
2. Choosing an affordable Health Insurance cover from a private company
From the List of Health Insurance in Kenya, inquire about their quotes, make sure you provide your needs so that they can give you the correct plan. Compare with the rest and go for the one that meets your pocket and needs. In this article(Types Health insurance Plans Available in Kenya) we have explained the different type of covers for your own understanding. To understand the terminologies used check Common Terminologies; Health insurance in Kenya.
