The Social Health Authority (SHA) has rolled out a structured medical cover for public officers, introducing a layered system designed to enhance healthcare access for teachers, police officers and civil servants.
At the centre of this structure is the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF), which acts as a backup cover once a member exhausts their standard SHA benefits.
This means public officers now enjoy a two-tier system: the primary cover under SHA (also referred to as SHIF), and a secondary safety net through POMSF.
How the SHA system works
Under the new model, members first utilize their allocated limits under SHA. Once those limits are depleted, POMSF steps in to cover additional medical expenses up to specified ceilings.
The government says this approach is meant to reduce out-of-pocket spending while ensuring continuous access to care, especially for critical and high-cost treatments.
Teachers (TSC Members)
Teachers under the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) transitioned fully to SHA on December 1, 2025, replacing the previous private Minet insurance scheme.
Under the new structure:
- Inpatient cover: Ranges between KSh 1 million and KSh 3 million annually depending on job group
- Outpatient cover: Between KSh 150,000 and KSh 450,000
- Additional benefits:
- Last expense cover of KSh 300,000
- Optical cover of KSh 60,000
- International treatment cover up to KSh 2.2 million
Teachers contribute 2.75% of their gross salary, with their former medical allowance now integrated into the scheme.
The package is considered one of the most comprehensive among public officers, particularly due to its higher limits and extended benefits.
Police and Prisons Officers (Usalama Cover)
For officers under the National Police Service and the Kenya Prisons Service, the government introduced the Usalama Cover in April 2026.
Key features include:
- Coverage for over 138,000 officers and their dependents
- Access to more than 6,000 healthcare facilities nationwide
- Government funding of approximately KSh 8.7 billion
The scheme caters for the principal member, one spouse, and up to five children, aiming to improve healthcare access for disciplined forces who often operate in high-risk environments.
Civil Servants
Other public officers at national and county levels are also covered under POMSF, though with slightly different benefit limits.
- Inpatient cover: KSh 700,000 to KSh 2.5 million
- Outpatient cover: KSh 70,000 to KSh 350,000
- Dental cover: Up to KSh 50,000 (higher than teachers)
- Optical cover: Up to KSh 40,000
- Maternity cover: Around KSh 200,000
Civil servants also retain eligibility for group life insurance and last expense benefits, ensuring continuity of coverage.
Key differences across groups
While all public officers fall under the same SHA framework, benefit levels vary depending on employment category.
Teachers generally enjoy higher inpatient and outpatient limits, while civil servants benefit from slightly better dental coverage. Police officers, on the other hand, are supported through a heavily government-funded model focused on accessibility and nationwide reach.
What it means for public officers
The introduction of SHA and POMSF marks a major shift in Kenya’s public healthcare financing, replacing fragmented schemes with a more unified and scalable system.
Officials say the goal is to improve affordability, expand coverage, and ensure no public officer is left without medical support after exhausting initial limits.
How to check your benefits
Members can verify their coverage and benefit details by dialing *147# or visiting the official SHA portal.
 works for teachers, police officers and civil servants under the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF)){kind=link}