Eagle Africa unveils low cost health insurance

By Standard Reporter

Eagle Africa Insurance Brokers (EAIB) has launched a low cost comprehensive in-patient and outpatient medical cover for both individuals and groups for a period ranging from three months to 75 years.

Dubbed ‘Afya Milele Halisi’, the cover has been underwritten by APA insurance, and offers two payment options. Customers can opt to pay Sh11,640 per annum for single payments, or make monthly payments of Sh1,066. Halisi provides a cover of between Sh50,000 and Sh300,000.

"This low cost medical cover will help bust the myth that insurance is only for those who have money, and expose the previously uninsured to the advantages of having insurance," Ashok Shah, the managing director of APA insurance said.

EAIB Divisional Director John Mburu said the cover gives medical security up to three family members for as little as Sh35 per day, with additional dependents each attracting an additional premium of 30 per cent.

Ensure flexibility

"We have a preferred service provider panel with up to 100 health care facilities countrywide to choose from to ensure flexibility and increase options," he said.

The Micro Health product covers chronic, pre-existing conditions, HIV/Aids, maternity, doctors’ fees and other costs associated with in-patient care. One must, however, be a contributing NHIF member, and dependents aged over 18 will join as individual members.

Premium payments can be made through Safaricom’s M-Pesa, Zain’s Zap, cash or Bank Transfers.

"Medical care continues to be a major impediment to our growth as a country," said Sammy Makove, CEO Insurance Regulatory Authority at the same function.

"With more insurance providers paying attention to the sectors of society who could not afford the high insurance premiums as well as the previously uncatered for older age bracket, I believe that the penetration of insurance in the country is on an upward trend."