The National Health Insurance Fund has explained why contributors cannot be able to access circumcision services under their cover.
NHIF on Monday said circumcision is classified as cosmetic surgery according to the fund’s exclusions hence the need for members to pay for themselves.
This is after a section of male members suggested during a public engagement forum in Buruburu that the fund should cater for circumcision.
They argued that circumcision should be grouped as a minor surgery under the NHIF packages but NHIF Nairobi Regional Manager Mary Nyachae said the fund caters for medical treatment saying circumcision is not a sickness.
“Much of the time what NHIF is paying for is medical treatment, circumcision is not a sickness but when a child is born but is not able to pass urine, you know there are those complications that one NHIF pays,” she said.
She added:
“But for the one which is a rite of passage, that one we don’t pay, actually it is a cosmetic surgery according to the exclusions so members pay for themselves.”
The NHIF benefit package has several exclusions meaning you have to pay for them yourself.
They include but cosmetic surgery, treatment delivered by acupuncturists and herbalists or alternative medicine and some vaccines such as yellow fever and rabies.
Any treatments obtained from non-accredited hospitals and/or unauthorised referrals are not also reimbursed by NHIF.
Massages are not also covered unless recommended by a doctor as part of the treatment therapy.
