10 The Staff Health Insurance (SHI) Rules apply to staff members on:
- Continuing appointments;
- Fixed-term appointments; or
- Temporary appointments (except temporary appointments of 60 days or less and paid on a daily basis; see III.13.2 of the WHO eManual).
The SHI Rules describe the insurance conditions with regard to: benefits, claims procedure and reimbursement, eligibility and contributions, finance, governance and rules of procedure, appeals and general provisions.
Participation
20 In accordance with Staff Rule 720, all staff members participate in SHI as a condition of their employment by WHO and for the duration of their appointment, with the exception of :-
a) staff members holding temporary appointments of 60 days or less and paid on a daily basis. For SHI insurance for this category please see
SHI Rules; and
b) staff members specified in Staff Health Insurance Rule E.1 b) see
SHI Rules effective 1 July 2025.
30 Recognized dependants of staff members on fixed-term or continuing appointments and staff members on temporary appointments (except those on temporary appointments of 60 days or less and paid on a daily basis), are automatically enrolled as participants in SHI. Exceptions may be granted where the national authorities of the country of residence in which a dependant resides, require mandatory enrolment, or continued participation in a national health insurance plan in accordance with SHI Rule E.3.4.
40 Staff members on fixed-term or continuing appointments
or staff members on temporary appointments (except those on temporary appointments of 60 days or less and paid on a daily basis), who wish to enrol or to cease participation of a non-dependent spouse, or a child aged 18-28 under the conditions set out in the SHI Rules, must follow the relevant procedure for requesting benefits.
50 Staff members must report any changes in their personal status, such as marriage, domestic partnerships, births or deaths by following the relevant procedure.
Claims Procedure
60 Active staff members must submit their claims to SHI electronically via http://shi-online.who.int. Documents provided in support of a claim must be true copies of the originals. Original supporting documentation must be kept for the period specified in the SHI Rules and be provided to the Organization if and when requested, for administrative or auditing purposes.
70 Staff members receive a Reimbursement Advice notification by email of SHI payments and/or of additional information to be provided to SHI.
