SHA Warns Hospitals as September 30 Contract Deadline Nears

File Image: SHA CEO Dr. Mercy Mwangangi

The Social Health Authority (SHA) has issued a final reminder to healthcare providers whose current contracts are about to expire. Facilities intending to continue treating SHA beneficiaries have been required to complete new agreements before September 30.

Existing Contracts Set to Expire

SHA Chief Executive Officer Mercy Mwangangi said the current provider agreements would expire at 11:59 p.m. on September 30, 2026. From October 1, facilities without an executed contract under the new cycle will no longer be authorised to provide SHA-funded services.

Providers that fail to complete the renewal process will also have their access to the SHA provider portal disabled. The restriction will effectively prevent affected facilities from conducting services through the authority.

Facilities Told to Prepare for Patient Transfers

Healthcare facilities that have not finalised their new contracts have been advised to make arrangements for patients already receiving treatment. Such patients may need to be transferred to facilities that have completed the SHA contracting requirements.

The authority said the arrangements were being made to protect patients from interruptions in treatment. The transition is particularly significant for beneficiaries whose care depends on facilities participating in the SHA network.

HAKIKA Framework Takes Effect

The new provider agreements will cover the period from October 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029. They will be implemented under the HAKIKA framework, which was launched together with a digital contracting platform earlier this month.

Services funded through the Primary Health Care Fund, Social Health Insurance Fund and Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund will fall under the new contracts. The Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund will also be included in the new contracting arrangements.

Applications Being Processed Digitally

The new E-Contracting Platform has been designed to allow healthcare providers to complete most of the contracting process online. Applications, supporting documents, licence verification, contract execution and application tracking can all be handled through the platform.

The digital system was introduced following concerns raised during the previous contracting cycle. Payment delays, rejected claims and pre-authorisation procedures were among the issues reported by healthcare providers.

According to the Ministry of Health, the HAKIKA framework is expected to provide clearer terms on benefits, reimbursements, quality requirements and dispute resolution. However, some providers have continued to raise concerns over proposed provisions concerning claims payments, deductions and responsibilities when reimbursements are delayed.

Healthcare facilities yet to complete the process therefore face a critical deadline before the new contracting cycle begins. The status of their agreements will determine whether SHA beneficiaries can continue receiving covered services at those facilities from October 1.