It is possible to update the list of dependents, including spouses and children, under your Social Health Authority (SHA) cover. SHA officials have confirmed that contributors can make changes if necessary.
Changing Dependents on Your SHA Cover
Since SHA is still a relatively new system in Kenya, many citizens have questions about how it operates. One common concern is whether it is possible to remove or add dependents, especially in cases involving spouses.
During a live discussion on X (formerly Twitter) held on Wednesday, SHA officials clarified that members can indeed update their dependents. If a contributor’s relationship status changes due to separation, divorce, or even the unfortunate passing of a spouse, they have the right to update their SHA details and add a new spouse when they move on.
Requirements for Adding or Removing a Spouse
SHA representative Gilbert Osoro explained that while changing dependents is a straightforward process, contributors must provide official documents to support the requested changes.
- Adding a New Spouse: The contributor must submit their spouse’s national ID and a marriage certificate as proof of marriage.
- Removing a Spouse Due to Divorce: The member must provide a divorce decree as legal proof that the marriage has been dissolved.
- Removing a Spouse Due to Death: A death certificate must be presented in case of a spouse’s passing.
“The law requires that all legal marriages must be registered, and proof of marriage is a marriage certificate. In cases of divorce, a divorce decree is necessary. If a spouse passes away, the contributor must submit a death certificate to update their SHA records,” Osoro explained.
Requirements for Adding Children
Parents who wish to add children to their SHA cover must provide the necessary legal documents depending on the child’s status:
- Biological Children: Parents must present the birth certificate or birth notification of the child.
- Adopted Children: A court order confirming the adoption is required.
- Children with Legal Guardians: The contributor must provide a court order or a will confirming the guardianship.
How to Update Dependents on SHA
Once the required documents have been gathered, members can proceed to update their dependents through the SHA system. The process involves:
- Logging into the SHA online portal.
- Uploading the required documents based on the specific case (marriage, divorce, adoption, or birth).
- Updating the details of the dependent in the system.
For individuals who have not yet registered for SHA, the system provides an option to add dependents at the time of registration. When signing up, contributors should:
- Visit the SHA portal and complete the registration process.
- Click on the “Add Dependent” section.
- Specify the type of dependent (spouse or child).
- Submit the necessary documents and complete the registration.
Important Note:
For a spouse to be added as a dependent, they must first be registered under SHA independently. This is because SHA operates based on household registration.
Challenges Faced by SHA Members
One of the biggest challenges SHA officials have noted is that many registered members do not log into their accounts to update their details. This has led to cases where patients visit hospitals only to be informed that their details are missing or outdated in the system.
To avoid such issues, members are advised to regularly log into their SHA accounts, check their registered dependents, and update any necessary information to ensure their healthcare coverage remains valid and up to date.
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