SHA pre-authorisation (approval) for surgery, admission or scans
Social Health Authority · sources read 2 Oct 2026
Some surgeries, admissions and scans need SHA approval before the hospital goes ahead, and SHA should approve within 72 hours. Emergency care should not wait: it is covered for everyone for the first 24 hours. If approval is stuck, call SHA free on 0800 720 601.
- Fee
- We couldn't confirm a fee from the official page. Check it there before you pay.
- How long
- Within 72 hours
- Where
- The hospital requests approval from SHA; you can follow up on 0800 720 601 or complaints@sha.go.ke
Steps
- Check that your SHA cover is active on eligibility.sha.go.ke before the procedure.
- Ask the hospital if your procedure needs SHA pre-authorisation. If it does, the approval should come within 72 hours.
- If you've waited longer than 72 hours or were told to pay, call 0800 720 601 or email complaints@sha.go.ke with your ID number and the hospital's name.
Watch out
- In an emergency you don't need approval first: emergency care is covered for all residents, even if not registered or paid up, for up to 24 hours.
- ICU cover is 12 days. Staying longer needs a fresh SHA authorisation, so ask the hospital to request it early.
- Surgery cover has a yearly limit per household (for example 3 minor procedures), so a request can be declined if the limit is used up.
Who can apply
- Registered SHA members whose cover is active. Unpaid penalties block services until they are paid.
Official sources (6)
- I am in the hospital for surgery, and I am being asked to wait for SHA approval. Why? sha.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Benefit Tariffs sha.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- How is healthcare access linked to penalty payment? sha.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- How can individuals file complaints or seek assistance under SHA? sha.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Contact Us sha.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- SHA Eligibility Check eligibility.sha.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026