How to check NHIF status

Healthcare can be really costly and it is not uncommon to come across families that are desperately trying to raise funds to settle hospital and medical bills for their loved ones.

Luckily, there is a national health insurance scheme that’s been around for a while.

The National Hospital Insurance Fund, NHIF, caters for medical expenses for not just civil servants but also people in the private sector with provision for persons in the informal sector to also get covered through the voluntary contribution programs.

It is important to be up-to-date with your membership to this insurance scheme and as such, NHIF has various ways to check whether you’re covered or not.

Here’s a detailed guide on how to check your NHIF status:

Table of Contents

NHIF Online Method

Visit the NHIF Website

Go to the official NHIF website at https://www.nhif.or.ke

Login or Register

If you already have an account, log in using your credentials. If not, you need to register by providing your details.

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 hence you need to reset it

Navigate to Member Services

Once logged in, navigate to the member services section. Look for an option related to checking your NHIF status.

Enter ID or Passport Number

Input your National ID or Passport number. This is usually the primary identifier used by NHIF.

Check NHIF Status

After entering your details, the system will display your status.

This will include information about your contributions and coverage.

How to Check Your NHIF Status Via SMS

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.