How to Pay NHIF via M-Pesa: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide (2024)
Keeping up with your National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) contributions is essential for ensuring you and your family have access to medical care when you need it most. Gone are the days of long queues; now, paying your monthly contribution is as easy as sending money on your phone.
If you’ve been wondering how to pay NHIF via M-Pesa, you’re in the right place. This guide will walk you through the simple steps to make your payment quickly and correctly.
The Official NHIF M-Pesa Paybill Number
First things first, the most important piece of information you need is the official business number.
The NHIF M-Pesa Paybill Number is: 200222
Save this number to your phone so you always have it handy. Using the correct Paybill number ensures your money goes to the right place.
Step-by-Step: How to Pay NHIF via M-Pesa
Follow these simple steps. It only takes a minute!
Go to your phone’s SIM Toolkit or M-Pesa App and select M-Pesa.
Choose “Lipa na M-Pesa”.
Select “Pay Bill”.
For “Enter Business no.”, type in 200222 and press OK.
For “Enter Account no.”, this is where you enter the National ID Number of the person you are paying for.
Paying for yourself: Enter your National ID number (e.g., 12345678).
Paying for someone else (e.g., spouse, parent): Enter their National ID number.
Paying for penalties: Enter your National ID number followed by the letter ‘Y’ (e.g., 12345678Y).
For “Enter Amount”, type the amount you wish to pay. For self-employed individuals, the minimum monthly contribution is Ksh 500.
Enter your M-Pesa PIN and press OK.
Confirm the Details: A summary screen will appear. Double-check that the Business Number is 200222 (NHIF) and the Account Number (your ID) is correct before you confirm.
You will receive a confirmation message from M-Pesa and another one from NHIF shortly after, confirming receipt of your payment. Keep these messages as proof of payment.
And that’s it! You have successfully paid your NHIF contribution.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are answers to some common questions people have about paying for NHIF via M-Pesa.
1. How much should I pay for NHIF?
For self-employed members (Voluntary Contributors), the standard monthly contribution is Ksh 500. You can pay for multiple months at once (e.g., Ksh 1,500 for 3 months or Ksh 6,000 for a full year).
2. How do I pay NHIF penalties via M-Pesa?
If you are a voluntary contributor and you pay after the 9th day of the month, you are charged a penalty of 50% of your contribution (Ksh 250). To pay the penalty, use your National ID number followed by the letter ‘Y’ as the account number (e.g., 12345678Y).
3. How long does it take for the NHIF payment to reflect?
Payments made via M-Pesa usually reflect in your NHIF account almost instantly or within a few hours. You will receive a confirmation SMS from NHIF once it’s processed.
4. How can I check my NHIF status after paying?
You can check your status easily via SMS.
Compose a new message.
Type “ID”, leave a space, then type your National ID Number (e.g., ID 12345678).
Send the message to 21101.
You will receive a reply detailing your last contribution date and your dependent’s status.
Keeping Your Health Cover Active is Easy!
Paying your NHIF via M-Pesa is a fast, secure, and convenient way to stay up-to-date with your health insurance contributions. By following these simple steps, you can ensure you and your loved ones remain covered without any hassle.