Lagos NHIA Plans to Delist HMOs Over Poor Service
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has underscored the significance of health insurance, saying many Nigerians still pay out of pocket at the point of care.
Zonal Co-ordinator, NHIA, Lagos, Olufemi Akingbade, disclosed this while addressing stakeholders at a quarterly enrollee forum, yesterday.
He said one of the major benefits of health insurance is to make it easy for Nigerians to access quality service at a reduced rate.
Akingbade said with the signing of the health insurance bill into law, it would make more Nigerians come on board to achieve quality health coverage at a subsidised rate.
He said the Authority was working assiduously to get Nigerians covered under the health insurance scheme. Besides, he disclosed the Authority’s move to delist Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) over poor services to enrollees.
He also hinted that the new guidelines, to be released soon, empowers NHIA to investigate cases and sanction errant providers.
“HMOs that have consistent trends of either owing providers or not operating within the ambit of the guidelines, we will delist. A lot of HMOs are biting more than they can chew. HMOs that place a burden and don’t render quality services to enrollees will be de-risked. HMOs now have to report poor services to the NHIA.
“Enrollees should report any HMO that is not acting in line with what they know should be. We will do more of educating the HMOs on quality service delivery.”
Deputy General Manager, NHIA, Ikeja office, Dr. Bethuel-Kasimu Abraham, urged enrollees to always know their rights when accessing healthcare services.
The Assistant General Manager, Programme Unit, Ikeja, Chika Amahalu, explained that the forum was on governing mandatory health insurance by focusing on the enrollee.
She stressed the need for health insurance coverage for every Nigerian to guarantee access to quality and affordable healthcare.
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Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Leadway Health, Tokunbo Ali, has urged President Bola Tinubu to enforce the National Health Insurance Act (NHIA) and achieve universal coverage.
Ali, who stated this while addressing journalists during Leadway Health partnership with Vitality Health International in Lagos, yesterday, said everything boils down to will power and determination of government, and the ability to enforce the Act that has been signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said: “This will drive penetration. If the regulation is done as it should, we will be able to have the level of healthcare for the poor and vulnerable. But the regulator has to do the job of being a regulator and not a player. If it is properly delivered, I see us having our penetration go from five per cent to 30 or 40 per cent in the next two or three years.
“With our unique use of technology to provide ground-breaking health insurance, we are able to provide our customers with a better, smarter and more rewarding experience. Through this partnership with Vitality Health International, we want to play an important role in the efforts towards Universal Health Care (UHC) in Nigeria. Our goal is to help improve the provision of care and the quality of life for Vitality Health International members and their families to accelerate the achievement of our collective vision.”
On her part, the Chief Executive Officer, Vitality Health International, Emma Knox, noted: “We are bringing a completely new type of health insurance to the rest of Africa. One that focuses on mental and physical wellness. Our offering has been specifically developed for the African market. It is an innovative, digitally enabled solution that promotes preventive screening and offers incentivised healthy behaviours through our exciting new cross-continental rewards partners. All three emerging trends offer a unique opportunity for Vitality Health International to make a significant impact in Nigeria.
She said to help get more Nigerians active, all Vitality Health International members qualify for a 40 per cent discount on a Garmin watch, which tracks physical activity and rewards members that exercise regularly.”
