Why We Budget for Rent but Not Hospital Bills

Most of us have a system.

Rent must be paid. Water and electricity must be sorted. School fees must be planned for.

These are non-negotiables. We plan for them because life cannot move forward without them.

But there is one cost we rarely plan for; medical bills.

Not because they are small, Not because they don’t matter, But because we hope they won’t happen.

The truth is, illness does not announce itself. It does not check whether the month is financially convenient. It shows up on ordinary days during work, on the road, at home.

When it happens, the question is rarely “Will I get care?”

The real question becomes “How will I pay for it?”

This is where many households are caught off guard. Savings meant for school fees are redirected. Rent money is delayed. Loans are taken under pressure. What should have been a health issue quickly becomes a financial crisis.

According to regional health financing data, out-of-pocket medical expenses remain one of the leading causes of financial stress for families in Kenya. A single hospital visit can disrupt months of planning.

Planning for healthcare does not mean expecting the worst. It means accepting reality.

We already understand this logic in other areas of life. We don’t wait to be evicted before planning for rent. We don’t wait to be disconnected before budgeting for electricity. We plan because disruption is expensive.

Health works the same way.

Health cover spreads cost over time. It replaces panic with predictability. It protects your income, your plans, and your peace of mind.

Health cover is not something you think about later. It is something you plan for — just like rent.

If you are looking for health insurance options in Kenya, it helps to start early and choose a cover that fits your life stage and budget. Explore available health cover options here: https://jubileeinsurance.com/ke/health/

Health cover ni lazima.