SHA gives hospitals more time to meet contracting requirements as new December 31 deadline is set

SHA gives hospitals more time to meet contracting requirements as new December 31 deadline is set - SHA Chief Executive Officer Mercy Mwangangi. (Photo: Social Health Authority)

SHA has extended the transition period for existing healthcare provider contracts to December 31, 2026, giving hospitals more time to meet outstanding requirements as the new contracting cycle begins in January 2027.

The Social Health Authority (SHA) has extended the deadline for healthcare providers to complete contracting requirements to December 31, 2026, giving hospitals and other facilities more time to fulfil outstanding obligations ahead of the next contracting cycle.

In a notice dated Thursday, October 15, SHA Chief Executive Officer Mercy Mwangangi said the transition period for existing healthcare provider contracts, which was due to expire on October 14, had been extended by more than two months.

“The Social Health Authority (SHA) informs all healthcare providers that the transition period for existing healthcare provider contracts, previously scheduled to lapse on 14th October 2026, has been further extended to 31st December 2026,” the notice stated.

The authority said the extension would give facilities additional time to complete outstanding requirements, resolve challenges encountered during the contracting process and maintain uninterrupted services for beneficiaries.

“The extension provides facilities with additional time to complete outstanding contracting requirements, address challenges encountered during the process and ensure uninterrupted healthcare services to SHA beneficiaries,” the statement added.

Under the revised arrangement, existing contracts covering the 2024–2026 period will remain valid throughout the extension, while the new contracting cycle will begin on January 1, 2027.

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SHA urged healthcare providers to use the additional time to finalise the process, emphasising that new contracts must be signed and take effect by December 31, 2026.

The authority also reminded facilities that submitting all required documentation remains mandatory, noting that the earlier moratorium on selected documents is no longer in effect.

SHA assured beneficiaries that they would continue accessing services at facilities with valid contracts throughout the extension period. It further confirmed that valid claims submitted during this period would be honoured.

To help providers meet the revised deadline, the authority said it would continue offering support through the ongoing HAKIKA contracting clinics at its county offices.

Healthcare providers seeking clarification have been advised to contact their nearest SHA county office or email the authority’s Contract Management department.

The extension is intended to give facilities time to resolve outstanding contracting issues while ensuring continuity of healthcare services under existing valid contracts before the new contracting cycle begins.