National health insurance scheme (NHIS): History
The idea of creating a governmental body to address health care concerns in Nigeria had its origins in 1962, but the idea was shot down at the time by government officials. Alhaji Abdusalami Abubaker enacted NHIS into military law on 10th of May, 1999, but the Nigerian public had to wait 40 more years for the NHIS to become official. President Olusegun Obasanjo became the first registered NHIS member when he formally launched the agency in 2006.
National health insurance scheme (NHIS): Recruiting achievements
Though there were some resistance and speculations in the outset, in 2013 98 percent of all Nigerian federal employees and two million additional private sector workers were signed up with NHIS. Also, two million additional Nigerians signed up with NHIS through the Programme for Pregnant Women and Children Under Five.
National health insurance scheme (NHIS): Current Recruiting Challenges
Though the NHIS’s stated goal is to provide universal health care access, sadly the percentage of the Nigerian population with health care coverage remains stuck at around 10 percent. Part of the problem has to do with wording of the NHIS Act itself, which requires only federal government employees and private sector businesses with 10 or more employees to register with NHIS. Unfortunately, the majority of government workers work for state agencies, not federal agencies. Since the law does not apply to them, most don’t opt to join NHIS. Another problem is that in the private sector, many Nigerian companies don’t register their employees with the government to avoid paying taxes. Employees who work under-the-table don’t receive health insurance, so it’s a losing situation for everyone except for the employer.
The main problem, though, boils down to a lack of funding. Less than 2% of Nigeria’s GDP is reinvested into its health care programs. Labor unions have blocked efforts to enact laws that would require employees to contribute to their own health care plan with salary deductions, so there just isn’t much money to go around.
National health insurance scheme (NHIS): The Future
Before any significant improvements can be made, the law needs to change. The more people that join the NHIS, the cheaper it will be for everyone– so more people should be cajoled to join. Also, policyholders should be required to pay at least a small portion towards the total cost of the NHIS. Additionally, the public should be provided with more information about NHIS because as the situation stands today, many people have heard the name NHIS but few really know what it means. Currently, most Nigerians view health insurance as just another monthly expense, but in reality health insurance is an investment that can save lots of money in the event that a health problem suddenly develops. Once public perception begins to change, the dream of universal health insurance in Nigeria will begin to look more like a reality.
If someone is switching from Public Sector to the Private sector, can the existing subscription be adopted where the Private Employer is willing? What process should we follow in this regard?
Hello, can private health facilities provide services to NHIS insured individuals?
I have wanted to register for this scheme, but I learnt they are upgrading their system.
when will they start registration. it is getting too late since December 2019
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Goodevening admin, please ill like to know if the scheme is strictly funded by the pool of monthly payments we make or its alsp financed by the government.and when i go to the clinic, would i get a completely free treatment.
Hi Huswah, health insurance is basically funded by a pool of monthly/annual premium payments. As long as your premium has been paid, you get free treatment depending on your current plan and coverage scope.
Hello admin,
If a state worker can’t join how can one join individually?
Hi Temitope, kindly make use of the quotes form on this page or feel free to call us for assistance.
I want to be a beneficiary of this opportunity. want to join NHIS so i will like to know the procedure. am also a tax payer.
hi, is it possible to register as a person and not as an employee under any organization – as in self employed person.
Hi Adebogun, yes of course. Kindly call us on 09078595250 or select providers and submit your information via this link –> https://www.einsurance.com.ng/healthquotes.html?statecode=Lagos
Good morning Admin, still waiting to hear from you.
Hi Emmanuel, the recent news we hear is that FG is set to make it compulsory for companies with at least five workers to subscribe to NHIS (through the proposed National Health Insurance Commission Act). The current NHIS act does not make this mandatory yet. It doesn’t however say much about medical retainership substitution at the moment.
Is it compulsory for a private sector employees to join. If they decline is that an offense under this act? Because in my company we prefer the operation of retainership clinics which is more comprehensive to the use of HMO.
Good afternoon Admin, pls forward the detail to me on how to add my child to scheme.
Hi Ademola, please speak with an Agent on 09078595250. You can also use the free quotes form on this site.
…Hi admin. am Mrs Osazuwa from IMO state. Am a teacher and I am having gynaecological health challenge of which I am abt to be refereed abroad. the embassy asked for health insurance. please I would like to know the cost and procedures
Hello Mrs. Osazuwa, Kindly speak with one of our Agents on 09078595250. You can also make use of the free quotes form on this web page.
I work in private organization and my HMO is Clearline which meant for me only and the plan covers a limited health challenge which is not advantageous to me. However, i wish to change to the NHIS with my entire family but i need your advice on how to join the scheme. Thanks.
Hello Kola, please call 09078595250 to speak with an Agent.
Nigeria having a functional Health Insurance Scheme that would get to the grassroot is a necessity and not a choice for us to reduce the existing high Infant Mortality rate in this country. There are several health challenges that cannot simply be handled by Routine Immunisation programmes. We need it to save lives.
The number above, is a branch office number?
@Admin, yes I meant NHIS. I can’t find any center n wat is the cost of both ways, redoing it or new one? Thank u.
Morning every1. I had my NHID card but it got missed place with my I.D cards I am in the military family bt, Please please please and please how can I get it back or make another because my health issues brings me to the hospital frequently an coz I don’t have it make me spend much more than I spend on other things which makes me get broke faster. Please anyone assistance is appreciated. Thank you.
Hi Tipcy, I guess you meant to write NHIS.. Have you reached out to your HMO? Replacing a missing card should not be an issue. You can also work directly with them in the interim whenever you need access to healthcare service pending the issuance of a new card.
The pharmacies of some primary health providers are not giving some drugs prescribed by doctors i don’t know why this is happening who do such problems handled ?
Who is the Executive Secretary of NHIS
Comment…Can I know if have been capture online?
Comment…please admin how can I know if have been capture without going to the office I register on 02/06/16 and my no is 03083993, is there a way I can know online?
Can my aged parents benefit from this service. Am married with three kids and they are already registered. My hmo is tht
Hello Stella, you need to speak with your HMO. Most family health plans cover just the husband, wife and up to 4 Children. Extra participants may require extra costs.
Good day.My name is Wale Adedapo,from Deowhistler Health.We want to roll out a presentation on our newly healthcare services App by mid October and would like to send an invitation to you.Please who can I contact in respect of the above mentioned subject matter.
Kind regards.
Wale Adedapo.
Commercial Operations Manager
Deowhistler Health.
Hello Wale, please call 09078595250.
Comment…Good evening administration, please I want to register with NHIS. How do I go about it. My no is 0803596****. Looking forward to hear from you thanks
Pls help me out, am a student of a tertiary institution and am seriously confused about nhis. Pls wat process can i take to make d registration.
Hi Rhoda, please call 09078595250 for assistance.
pls can i get NHIS online form
Hi Emmanuel, Yes you can! Kindly make use of the quotes form on top of this site to begin the process.
Hi i am a retiree from the federal ministry of education.abuja. i was informed that after retirement i shall no longer be qualified for nhis.pls could you throw more light on the fate of former officer after retirement as far as the scheme is concerned
Hi Nweke, this means that the ministry of education will no longer pay for your health insurance. You should take up a new policy for yourself and your family.
pls I need help. I am a registered health insurance member. Niger state workers are on strike including its general hospital were I do receive my health service. my main concern is that I will be needing medical help very soon since I have exceeded my EDD with two wks. so will I get a refund when I use an alternative health service?
Hi Hadiza, in most cases premiums are annual or monthly.. You should reach out to your HR to find out if you are still covered. As for using alternative health provider outside your HMO network, I will suggest you reach out to your Health provider first to clarify. There are special provisions for this actually and it should not be a problem.
Sir/Madam
I am Harrison Ukaegbu from Imo State with contacts 08077359*** [email protected].
I want to know how I can insure my self, my wife and my children
Hi Harrison, yes you can! You should take advantage of the health insurance quotes comparison portal at the top of this site. It’s free! **The mobile number you provided was edited for your own safety.
Comment…please someone should tell me.. Are this insurance in Port Harcourt… A lot of comments here are of last year.
I was denied of health care today, together with my family. I work with Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, and my NHIS hospital is Solid Rock hospital, Plot 108, Isheri Road Ojodu/Berger, Lagos, my HMO name is SONGHAI Health care, they showed me the list and my name was not there, I think I have the right to sue the NHIS for this, if something is not done withing 24hrs
Reaching out to the women in the market e.g Lagos market, Oba market Benin and many other buying and selling market in Nigeria. Making this scheme accessible to them at their various level and an affordable price with first class service will help to win their trust. The truth is, from observation a lot of women out there with serious and expensive medical conditions can not afford to pay for the bills. If they can trust NHIS, I am positive they could sign in. Keep up the good work NHIS, it can only get better if we keep searching for new and improved way to be of service and incorporating these new and improved ways with sincerity of purpose. Best wishes!
NHIS, keep up the good work! This makes a lot of sense but I do not agree with forcing people… May I suggest that we find a way of letting the people know the importance of this scheme and what they stand to gain if they sign in. One of such ways is an awareness campaign! Especially for those at the grass root! May I also suggest that we ensure to improve on the efficiency of our services and make it simple even for the UNEDUCATED because a lot of the women out there with chronic illness can bearly afford two good meal a day ! Let’s make this scheme less complicated and easily accessible to these one’s. Don’t be discouraged NHIS, it will keep getting better. GOD WILL UPHOLD YOU.
Please I need to have the RRT Code for eco bank to enable me register and include my child. Thanks.
Have registered with one of the companies but the hospital i choose my name was not forwarded there. Then i have been called one of the repesentative,she keep on posting i even sent her mesg no respond. This her number 0802872****
Do you mind stating the name of this HMO?