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The Social Health Authority (SHA) has announced preparations for a new healthcare provider contracting cycle that will run from October 2026 to June 2029.
The Social Health Authority (SHA) has announced preparations for a new healthcare provider contracting cycle that will run from October 2026 to June 2029.
In a notice on Wednesday, September 9, the authority invited healthcare providers, facilities and other stakeholders to submit their views on the proposed contracts.
"The Social Health Insurance Act No. 16 of 2023 was enacted on the 19th October 2023 and commenced on the 22nd November, 2023. Section 5(d) of the Act mandates the Social Health Authority to empower and contract healthcare providers and healthcare facilities upon their inspection, licensing and certification by the relevant body," the notice read.
SHA said it is now undertaking preparations for the contracting cycle covering the period beginning October 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2029.
"It is notified for the information of all healthcare providers and healthcare facilities that the Authority is preparing for the healthcare provider contracting cycle for the period 1st October 2026 to 30th June 2029," the statement added.
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For the new cycle, SHA said it has developed proposed contracts covering the Primary Health Care Fund (PHCF), Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund (ECCIF), and Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF).
It has invited healthcare providers and facilities, their representative associations and other interested stakeholders to review the proposed contracts and submit their feedback.
"Now therefore, pursuant to Article 10 of the Constitution and sections 34, 46 and 47 of the Social Health Insurance Act No. 16 of 2023, the Authority invites all healthcare providers and healthcare facilities, their representative associations and other interested stakeholders to submit any comments, views or representations thereon," the notice further read.
According to SHA, the proposed contracts have been made available on the SHA website, while stakeholders can submit their comments, views, representations and written memoranda through the designated online feedback form.
The deadline for submissions is Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
SHA will also conduct virtual sensitisation sessions across all 47 counties on September 9 and 10, 2026, with the sessions organised according to the level of healthcare facility.
The sessions for Levels 5 and 6 facilities will be held on Wednesday, September 9, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, followed by the Level 4 session from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
On Thursday, September 10, Level 3 facilities will have their session from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, while Level 2 facilities will be sensitised from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
According to SHA, the sessions will focus on the practical requirements of the upcoming contracting cycle and provide an opportunity for healthcare providers to seek clarification.
"The sessions shall provide guidance on the new e-contracting process, the contract requirements and key obligations, and shall afford an opportunity for clarification," the notice concluded.
This comes days after SHA extended the deadline for healthcare providers to comply with the Health Management Information System (HMIS) requirements by one month.
In a statement on Tuesday, September 1, SHA CEO Mercy Mwangangi said the deadline has been moved to September 30, 2026.
Mwangangi noted that the extension will allow the healthcare providers additional time to complete the necessary system configuration and compliance processes.
"Healthcare providers are hereby notified that the deadline for compliance with the Health Management Information System (HMIS) requirements has been extended by one month, to 30 September 2026.
"This extension will allow healthcare providers additional time to complete the necessary system configuration and compliance processes," Mwangangi stated.
SHA CEO urged healthcare providers to utilize the extension to ensure they achieve full compliance within the revised deadline.
Further, Mwangangi said healthcare providers facing such challenges should seek assistance from the Digital Health Agency (DHA) Technical Support team.
"Providers experiencing any technical or system-related challenges during the compliance process are advised to contact the Digital Health Agency’s (DHA) Technical Support for assistance and resolution,” the SHA CEO added.
