Health insurance is an insurance policy that covers high medical expenses that can result from health problems. It steps in to reduce the financial burden that can be caused by health problems. With this, you’ll agree that everyone deserves to have health insurance coverage. Now, you see that it is not only government staff that can get health insurance. You, too, can!
Well, this article will expose everything you need to know about getting health insurance coverage in Nigeria. You’ll be reading about the different options available and how to enroll. Let’s begin!
How To Get Health Insurance In Nigeria
Here are some health insurance options open to Nigerians:
1. National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA)
The National Health Insurance Authority is a body responsible for ensuring that all Nigerians get quality and accessible health care services in Nigeria. It helps reduce the financial barrier that is tagged along with getting quality healthcare in Nigeria. It is a social insurance program that covers the medical expenses of any Nigerian registered under it.
How To Register For NHIA
To register for NHIA, follow these steps:
Step 1. Visit Any Local NHIA Office
The first step to registering for NHIA is to visit any local NHIA office close to you. Alternatively, you can visit any licensed Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) that is close to you to enroll. Well, if you can find anyone close to you, don’t worry. Here’s a link that provides you with the required list of available HMOs and their locations.
Step 2. Fill The Application Form
After you have found your way to the nearest NHIA office, the next thing would be to complete the application form. This application form would request you to provide detailed information about yourself. If you have other family members that you’d like to enroll, you’ll be required to answer questions about them, too. Along with that, kindly make available these items to make your application process easy:
- A valid means of identification (a government-issued ID, Voter’s Card, Driver’s License, or International Passport)
- A recent passport photograph.
- An evidence of employment (possibly an employment letter).
Step 3. Select A Health Care Facility
In the application process, you’ll be asked to select a healthy care facility that you’d like to provide healthcare to you. Do well, to select only health facilities that are NHIA-accredited. Some hospitals or health facilities are not NHIA-accredited, so before applying kindly get information about their NHIA status. It is important to do this to have a declined NHIA enrollment.
Step 4. Pay The Premium
After all the paperwork has been done, you’ll be requested to pay a premium. Depending on the terms, you could arrange your premium monthly or annually.
Step 5. Get Your NHIA ID
You’ll then be given an NHIA Identification card and Number. This NHIA ID would distinguish you from any other patients when you begin your healthcare journey. With it, you’ll enjoy subsided rate and quality healthcare.
2. Private Health Insurance
Private health insurance involves seeking a health insurance policy from an insurance company as an individual. In some cases, employers may decide to apply for this policy for their employees too. The eligibility criteria for this insurance policy may change depending on the insurance provider that is contacted.
How To Register For Private Health Insurance
Follow these steps to register for private health insurance:
Step 1. Select A Private Health Insurance Provider
First, select a private health insurance provider that suits your needs. This means that you choose an insurance company whose policy is well-tailored to your needs for you. In Nigeria, there are so many private health insurance providers. They include AXA Mansard Insurance, Leadway Assurance and so on.
Step 2. Contact The Private Health Insurance Provider
After you’ve selected the health insurance provider you want to go for, contact them. You can look up their website and check their email address, phone number, or other contact information about them. When you contact them, ask them to give you detailed information about their quote. This would give you the right information you need on whether to go ahead with such a private health provider or not.
Step 3. Provide Your Information
If you are satisfied with their quotes, you can go ahead to register with the healthcare insurance provider. When you want to register, be sure to have the following information handy:
- A valid means of identification (a government-issued ID, Voter’s Card, Driver’s License, or International Passport)
- A recent passport photograph.
- An evidence of employment (possibly an employment letter).
Step 4. Pay The Premium
After a successful registration, the next step to take is to pay the premium. The plan you choose would have a set premium charge. By paying the premium, you agree to the terms and conditions of the healthcare insurance provider.
Step 5. Wait For Confirmation
Usually, after the premium, the health insurance provider would ask you to wait for a confirmation. This confirmation usually takes some minutes to an hour. When you receive the confirmation, immediately, your private insurance ID will be processed and sent to you. Along with that, a document detailing your insurance policy will also be sent to you.
3. Tertiary Institutions Social Health Insurance Programme (TISHIP)
The Tertiary Institution Social Health Insurance Programme (TISHIP) is an insurance program established by the Federal Government to ensure that students and academic and non-academic staff at higher institutions get quality healthcare at a subsidized cost.
How To Enroll For TISHIP
To enroll for TISHIP, here are the steps to take:
Step 1. Visit Your Institution’s Health Center
The first step to enrolling is to locate your school’s health care center. In almost all federal universities and polytechnics, there is at least one healthcare center. These centers are established to provide health care to students and staff of the institution.
Step 2. Provide Your Information
When you get to your tertiary institution, request for a healthcare insurance. You’ll be asked to share information to facilitate your insurance coverage. Here are some information that you’ll be asked to provide:
- Your full name
- Your Phone Number
- An evidence of studentship at the institution.
- Your department and faculty of study.
Conclusion
Now you see, getting a health insurance cover is not that difficult. You can get a stress-free enrollment process with the right information. Thank ti this article, you’ve read a thorough information about health insurance and how you can enroll to the different options available.
