TSC Switches Teacher Health Cover from Minet to SHA, Promises Better Benefits

Over 400,000 teachers are set to move their health insurance from Minet Kenya to the Social Health Authority (SHA), gaining access to improved medical packages

The new scheme takes effect on December 1, 2025, following consultations between union leaders, SHA, and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in Nairobi

Union representatives from the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), and Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET) attended the briefing to understand migration details

Under the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF), teachers and their dependents will receive comprehensive coverage, including the principal member, a declared spouse, and up to five children

Fully dependent children up to age 25 enrolled in full-time study are also eligible

Covered services include inpatient and outpatient care, dental, optical, overseas treatment, radiology, annual medical checkups, maternity, chronic illness care, drug rehabilitation, renal dialysis, evacuation services, and organ donor tests

Exclusions include treatment at non-contracted facilities, services from chiropractors, herbalists, acupuncturists, and self-prescribed or non-conventional therapies

Financial cover limits include:

• Ksh.500,000 for overseas treatment

• Up to Ksh.1.1 million for overseas surgery

• Ksh.400,000 for oncology

• Ksh.200,000 for post-renal replacement therapy

• Maternity: Ksh.10,000 for normal delivery, Ksh.30,000 for C-section

 Also read : China Orders Removal of Popular Gay Dating Apps from Mobile Stores

The previous Teachers Medical Cover under Minet, established in July 2015, faced challenges such as limited empanelled hospitals, admission rejections, lengthy pre-authorisation, and restricted dependent coverage

SHA will now operate in 9,016 hospitals nationwide, a significant increase from 816, covering public, private, and faith-based facilities. The admission process will be fully automated to reduce rejections

Teachers are advised to register via SHA’s website or by dialing *147#, or seek assisted enrollment at SHA branches, Huduma Centres, or TSC County and Subcounty offices

Updates for beneficiaries’ details, including proof of marriage, birth certificates, and PWD certification, are required. Changes to spouses will have a 30-day waiting period, except in the event of death

Writer : Mweru Mbugua