Influence of National Hospital Insurance Fund on Access to Healthcare in Kenya: a Case Study of Nairobi County

Abstract

The study focused on the primary objective which was to investigate influence of National Hospital Insurance Fund on access to healthcare in Kenya. The specific three objectives were to establish the influence of National Hospital Insurance Fund policy choices by members on access to healthcare in Kenya, to assess the contribution of various National Hospital Insurance Fund policy products on access to healthcare in Kenya, to investigate National Hospital Insurance Fund policy implementation challenges impeding universal access to healthcare in Kenya. The mixed methodology design was adopted and was used to collect qualitative and quantitative data. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences was used to enter and analyze data from the participants and respondents drawn from the National Hospital Insurance Fund administrators and members of National Hospital Insurance Fund. The findings showed that National Hospital Insurance Fund policy choices by members, National Hospital Insurance Fund policy products and National Hospital Insurance Fund policy implementation challenges have significant influence on access to healthcare. The conclusion of the study was that members of National Hospital Insurance Fund were satisfied with the policy choices available, and the policy products provided compared to when they were not members even though the coverage was not comprehensive in all categories available, and the study acknowledged that there were challenges affecting implementation of National Hospital Insurance Fund. The studies recommended that National Hospital Insurance Fund to strengthen its choices and products covered and communicate appropriately to ensure that members have their coverage extended to comprehensive level. The study also recommended further examination on National Hospital Insurance Fund policy through a public process on mechanisms to ensure zero defaults and that every Kenyan becomes a subscriber by focusing on reviewing of terms and conditions and studies on National Hospital Insurance Fund should be carried out on role of other factors such as the culture and religion on National Health Insurance.