How NHIS Protects You And Your Family

The many ways to take part in the National Health Scheme were covered in this article.

In 1999, the National Health Insurance Scheme was established as a low-cost means of enhancing Nigerians’ health. A pool of participants who pre-pay into the program on a regular basis provides funding for it. These funds are now given to Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), who can then use them to pay for those who require medical attention.

The main objectives of the NHIS are

1. Achieve universal access to healthcare for all Nigerians
2. To shield households in Nigeria from the hardship of high medical costs
3. To control the increase in the price of healthcare services
4. To ensure that the expenditures of health care are distributed equally among the various income groups

Private HMO organizations that offer coverage ranging from local (restricted to certain localities or towns) to national (covers the entire country) have pushed for this idea.

Sixty providers, according to NHIS, provide programs for low-cost healthcare. We will highlight two of these providers below.

Advantages of taking part in an NHIS program

1. Assurance that you have insurance in case you or a member of your family becomes ill
   Since a group of individuals are funding this program, it is typically less expensive for the whole than if each person had to pay for care on their own.
2. There are a number of plans to suit different demands and budgets.
3. Since this is typically a monthly financial contribution, it encourages people to prioritize their health by getting regular examinations because the plan they choose may pay for some or even all of their financial obligations.
4. If you need services outside of the country, some of the programs may provide international coverage, making the cost load less daunting.
5. If this program is provided by an employer, it is automatically deducted on pay prior to tax, reducing the amount of tax withheld from each pay period.

Types of Programs offered under NHIS through HMO’s

1. Formal Sector Social Health Insurance Programme: This program is funded through a pool of contributions from employees and employers in the formal sector. These include the police, the military, the organized private sector, and other uniformed services.
2. Tertiary Institution Social Health Insurance Program is financed by a pool of student contributions. It is a service that is only available to college and university students.
3. Voluntary Contributor Social Health Insurance Program: Employees of companies with fewer than ten employees may choose to contribute to this program at their own discretion.
4. Community-Based Social Health Insurance Programs: Members of a non-profit organization pay for this program’s expenses. It is founded on moral principles, mutual aid, and the sharing of health risks.

Conclusion

The National Health Insurance Scheme was primarily established with Nigerians in mind. Citizens in good health are essential to a functional society.

Utilize the variety of options at your disposal to lead healthier lifestyles for you and your family. Click here if you need assistance picking a plan or an HMO program.