NAIROBI, Kenya- Hospitals that fail to complete new contracts with the Social Health Authority by September 30 will lose access to its provider portal and will not be permitted to offer services under the scheme from October 1.
The authority has also directed facilities that have not completed the process to arrange transfers for patients receiving ongoing care to hospitals with valid contracts, raising the stakes for providers as the deadline approaches.
In a notice issued on Monday, September 28, SHA Chief Executive Officer Dr Mercy Mwangangi said existing provider contracts will expire at 11:59pm on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
Facilities wishing to continue treating SHA beneficiaries must complete the contracting process for the 2026–2029 cycle before the new arrangements take effect.
Portal access to be switched off
SHA has warned that facilities without completed contracts will be disconnected from its provider portal.
The directive means hospitals cannot rely on their existing agreements to continue providing services under the scheme after the expiry date.
“All providers are urged to complete outstanding contracting requirements promptly to avoid interruptions to services for beneficiaries,” Mwangangi said.
Providers have been directed to complete applications through SHA’s electronic contracting platform, which allows facilities to submit, track and sign their agreements online.
Patients may need to change hospitals
The notice also addresses patients whose treatment will continue beyond the deadline.
Facilities that have not completed contracting have been asked to organise transfers to contracted providers to maintain continuity of care. The instruction places responsibility on the affected hospitals to make those arrangements.
For patients, the immediate issue is whether their treating facility has secured a contract for the new cycle. Those receiving ongoing care at an affected hospital may need to continue treatment elsewhere under the scheme.
SHA maintains a contracted facilities section on its website, alongside information on benefits and its customer support contacts.
The contracting deadline follows a public consultation earlier
