The Social Health Authority (SHA) has extended the deadline for healthcare providers to complete contracting for the 2026–2029 cycle.
In a notice on October 1, the authority noted that healthcare facilities will continue to serve SHA beneficiaries under their existing arrangements.
SHA Chief Executive Officer Dr Mercy Mwangangi, CBS, confirmed that the extension would run for 14 days.
“The Social Health Authority (SHA) has extended the contracting deadline by 14 days, to 14th October 2026, to give healthcare facilities more time to complete contracting for the 2026-2029 cycle,” part of the notice read.
Health care operators whose contracts expired on September 30, 2026, will remain eligible during the period, according to the SHA CEO.
However, the SHA will not grant any further extension beyond the October 14, 2026 deadline.
“During the extension period, facilities will continue operating under their existing contracts. At the end of the 14 days, the existing contracts will lapse, and no further extension will be granted,” Mercy Mwangangi directed.
To renew the contract, facilities must confirm acceptance, sign, and return the extension agreement within three days to maintain continuity of SHA-funded services.
Only providers that accept the 14-day extension will continue serving SHA beneficiaries during the additional period.
Facilities that decline the extension have been directed to coordinate with their respective SHA county managers to transfer patients receiving ongoing treatment to contracted providers.
Also Read: Mercy Mwangangi Gives Hospitals 72-Hour Ultimatum Before Shutting Down SHA Portal
HAKIKA Clinics to Support Providers
SHA will also establish HAKIKA contracting clinics in every county to assist healthcare providers with the contracting process.
According to the contracting authority, the clinics will begin on Monday, October 5, 2026, through SHA county offices.
Additionally, the authority will publish the HAKIKA clinic schedule and the requirements for providers on its website, allowing facilities to access assistance closer to their locations.
As of October 1, 10,006 healthcare providers had expressed interest in the new contracting cycle and are currently in different stages of the process.
SHA Contract Expiry
The extension follows an earlier SHA notice warning healthcare providers that their existing contracts would expire on September 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
“The Social Health Authority notifies all healthcare providers/healthcare facilities that current provider contracts will expire on 30 September 2026 at 11:59 p.m.,” Mercy Mwangangi noted.
Initially, the notice dated September 28 required providers to complete the new 2026–2029 contracting process before the expiry of their existing agreements.
Facilities without executed contracts were warned that they would lose access to the SHA provider portal.
Additionally, the Providers were advised to arrange the transfer of patients undergoing ongoing care to contracted facilities to prevent treatment disruption.
Also Read: SHA Issues New Dates for Hospitals With Pending NHIF Claims
Providers Seek Changes to SHA Contract
The Social Health Authority received 188 unique responses from healthcare providers after opening the 2026–2029 Healthcare Provider Contract Pack for feedback between September 8 and 21, 2026.
The responses generated 422 comments across the five sections of the contract. Private facilities accounted for 119 responses, government facilities 43, and faith-based facilities 26.
Level two facilities contributed 72 responses, and Level 3A facilities contributed 57.
Among the issues raised was the payment of claims. The final contract requires Clean Claims to be processed and paid within 90 days of receipt, using a first-in, first-out system.
Providers must also be notified when payments are expected to be delayed.
SHA also introduced clearer procedures for rejected claims.
According to the authority, incomplete or erroneous claims must be returned for correction rather than rejected, and providers can request reviews and receive written reasons for decisions.
The revised contract provides that claim submission and other deadlines stop running when the SHA platform is unavailable.
Providers must complete verification and submission within 48 hours of restoration, and claims cannot be rejected solely due to a platform failure.
The authority also sets pre-authorization timelines from two hours for emergency cases to five working days when specialist review is required.
However, Emergency Medical Treatment does not require prior authorization.
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