A health maintenance organization, SUNU Health Nigeria, has urged Nigerians not to restrict themselves to employer-sponsored health insurance plans.
In a statement obtained by our correspondent, SUNU Health’s Head of Business Retention at the organization, Mr Reginald Nweke, made this known while drawing the attention of Nigerians to some common misconceptions around access and affordability of healthcare in Nigeria.
He argued that it is a misconception that only employers can provide health insurance.
Nweke said, “You shouldn’t restrict yourself to employer-sponsored plans. Individual and family plans are readily available, making HMO coverage accessible to everyone.”
Speaking further, Nweke added that it is also untrue that HMOs provide substandard care by favouring generic medications over brand names.
According to him, HMOs work to manage the costs effectively while the recipient receives high-quality care.
“It’s important to understand that generic drugs are equally effective as their brand counterparts and often come at a lower cost. It’s essential to remember that healthcare professionals prioritize patient well-being above all else, as reflected in their oath. Doctors are trained to prescribe in generic name while the Pharmacist can dispense the available brands of the drug.”
He however warned enrollees not to patronise any hospital that dispense substandard drugs while adding that doctors are “under an oath not to harm and should not dispense substandard drugs.”
Nweke also debunked claims that HMOs deny care to save money by stating that “the primary goal of HMOs is to effectively manage the care of their enrollees, not deny it. In reality, it’s in their best interest to ensure that members receive appropriate treatment to prevent complications. Denying care would ultimately result in dissatisfied customers and higher costs in the long term. HMOs practice on the principle of best and necessary medicine.”
On claims that HMOs are only available for the wealthy, Nweke said, “This is false. HMOs provide a range of health insurance plans to accommodate various budgets. Affordable coverage is accessible to everyone, irrespective of social class or reputation.”
He also warned against misconceptions that the young and healthy don’t need health insurance, stating that accidents and illness can occur unexpectedly regardless of age or health. Hence, everyone needs to get health insurance.
“We are delighted to have this conversation and an opportunity to engage and discuss the common myths surrounding the health maintenance organization’s landscape.
“By debunking these misconceptions, HMOs provide a valuable solution to managing healthcare needs that will enable prospective enrollees to make better decisions about their well-being,” Nweke said.
