Police officers lose medical cover, revert to NHIF
More than 150,000 police officers will lose their medical covers from September 30 midnight following the termination of the scheme by National Police Service insurer AON.
A letter dated September 28, signed by Edwin Kodege of AON and addressed to all service providers has advised selected hospitals not to take in any more patients from the police service.
“As communicated earlier, the scheme for the above client will expire on September 30 midnight and will not be renewed effective October 1. Subsequently, no further credit facilities should be offered under the National Police, Kenya Prisons Service and AON Kenya account,” reads the letter in part.
The letter further asks all the hospitals to ensure all claims are submitted to AON for settlement.
“To ensure that we close out on this account amicably, please ensure that all claims for the period ending September 30 are submitted to AON within the contract timelines,” reads the letter.
NEW CONTRACT
However, another letter from National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) indicates that the police service will now revert to the NHIF for it’s employees’ medical cover.
“The National Police Service (NPS) and the Kenya Prison Service (KPS) have signed a contract with NHIF for comprehensive medical cover. The contract will be effective 1st October, 2017,” reads the letter dated September 26, 2017 and by signed by NHIF CEO, Geoffrey Mwangi.
In October 2016, police and prison officers, their spouses and children received free health care after the government procured a medical insurance for them.
In the cover, the lowest ranked officer, a constable, was insured at Sh150,000 for outpatient and Sh1.5 million for inpatient every year while the highest ranked officer was insured at Sh500,000 for outpatient and Sh5 million for inpatient.
In the past, police were entitled to a Sh5,000 monthly risk allowance which was scrapped to pave way for the insurance.