End of an Era: TSC Medical Scheme AON Minet to be replaced by SHA

Teachers medical cover AON Minet will be scrapped as the government eyes a review to give teachers a better medical cover similar to that of the civil servants.

Teachers will be moved from AON Minet cover to Social Health Authority (SHA) starting December 2025 in new TSC changes.

Teachers will be enrolled in the Public Service Medical Fund which is popular with civil servants.

This comes shortly after President William Ruto met thousands of teachers in State House where he promised to review the current teacher medical cover.

Ruto promised to review the current medical cover to ensure it is aligned with the present health needs of teachers and their families.

Teachers are paying for their medical cover through their monthly medical allowance but there have been numerous complaints from teachers over bad services.

Teachers in lower job groups, like Primary Teacher II (Grade B5), get Ksh1 million in inpatient coverage and Ksh150,000 for outpatient needs.

Meanwhile, senior educators, such as Chief Principals (Job Group D5), enjoy larger provisions, with Ksh3 million for inpatient care and Ksh450,000 for outpatient services.

Some benefits however remain consistent across the board, regardless of your job group. For instance:

• Dental Cover: Ksh45,000
• Optical Cover: Ksh60,000
• Last Expense Cover: Ksh300,000

Maternity coverage, however, is scaled with job grades, ranging from Ksh120,000 for Grade B5 to Ksh300,000 for Grade D5.

If you’re a TSC-employed teacher between 18 and 65 years old, you’re covered under this scheme.

It also extends to your loved ones—you can add one registered spouse and up to four dependent children.

These children are eligible for coverage from birth until age 18 (or up to 25 if they’re in school). And here’s a thoughtful inclusion: there’s no age limit for children with certified disabilities.

Want to know what the plan actually covers? Let’s break it down:

1. Inpatient Benefits

You’re covered for almost everything you’d need in a hospital. This includes:

• Doctor’s fees (surgeons, anesthetists, consultants)
• ICU and HDU care
• Medications and laboratory tests
• Imaging services like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs
• Specialized treatments, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy
• Costs for internal surgical appliances

Essentially, if you’re hospitalized, this plan has you sorted.

2. Outpatient Benefits

Outpatient care is equally robust and includes:

• Routine visits to your general doctor or specialist
• Diagnostic tests
• Physiotherapy sessions
• Treatment for chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or hypertension
• HIV/AIDS care, including access to antiretrovirals

This means you don’t have to delay routine checkups or treatment for ongoing conditions.

3. Maternity Coverage

For teachers planning or expecting children, the maternity benefits are especially generous. They include:

• Antenatal and postnatal care
• Delivery costs (normal and C-section—whether elective or emergency)
• Routine immunizations under the Kenya Expanded Programme on Immunization (KEPI)

With everything from initial checkups to delivery costs covered, it’s a reassurance every new parent will appreciate.

4. Dental and Optical Cover

Need a root canal or a new pair of glasses? This plan won’t let you down. Dental benefits include:

• Common procedures like tooth extractions and scaling (if medically necessary)
• X-rays and dentures for injury-related losses
• Dental crowns for restorative care

For optical care, the benefits cover:

• Glasses and lenses
• Frames
• Ophthalmic surgeries and related ultrasounds

These add-ons are crucial for everyday wellness, ensuring your vision and dental health get the attention they deserve.

Additional Perks You Should Know

This scheme isn’t just about the basics—it also addresses more complex health needs. You can count on:

• Emergency evacuation (road or air) in critical situations
• International referrals for specialized care
• Support for terminal illnesses like cancer and kidney failure
• Services for chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and hypertension
• Rehabilitation for substance abuse or work-related trauma