Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) beneath two business associations have disputed the Lagos State authorities’s claim that 21 HMOs endorsed its newly launched Lagos Private Health Plan (LPHP).
The Health and Managed Care Association of Nigeria (HMCAN) and the Association of Health Insurance Practitioners of Nigeria (AHIPN) made their place recognized in an announcement signed by their chairmen, Abdulkadri Osumah and Ben Okpalla, respectively.
They famous that participation by particular person operators in consultations or the launch doesn’t quantity to collective endorsement, and the plan requires approval from the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) earlier than implementation.
Their response adopted the state authorities’s launch of the LPHP partnership and announcement of a 31 December 2026 deadline for residents, employers and employees to acquire health insurance coverage.
At the launch in Lagos on Tuesday, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu mentioned 21 HMOs had been collaborating within the new association, which the federal government mentioned is designed to increase health insurance coverage protection, notably amongst formal-sector employees and company organisations.
But HMCAN and AHIPN mentioned accrediting an HMO is completely different from approving a particular health plan.
“Attendance at the launch, consultations or expressions of interest by individual HMOs do not constitute HMCAN’s and AHIPN’s endorsement,” the associations mentioned, requesting corrections to stories suggesting collective business endorsement.
Regulatory issues
The associations mentioned they help the federal authorities’s drive in direction of common health protection and the goals of the Lagos State Executive Order on obligatory health insurance coverage.
However, they mentioned implementation needs to be “lawful, affordable and properly coordinated.”
According to the teams, a communique issued after discussions between the NHIA and Lagos State in October 2025 recognised the NHIA because the statutory regulator, whereas HMO participation within the Lagos plan is voluntary.
They mentioned the framework additionally supplied for employers to decide on NHIA-approved plans and required health plans to acquire prior approval from the authority.
The associations due to this fact known as for the publication of the related NHIA approval paperwork. They additionally raised issues in regards to the levy on private-sector health insurance coverage preparations.
“Our understanding is that the framework consists of an combination 13 per cent levy (Tax) on private-sector health insurance coverage preparations. Its authorized foundation, calculation base and elements require clarification.
“If imposed in addition to existing premiums and statutory obligations, HMCAN and AHIPN consider it an unnecessary burden and a form of double taxation on employers already funding healthcare. Additional charges must not erode affordability or funds available for patient care,” it famous.
The teams warned that if the levy is imposed alongside present premiums and statutory obligations, it might enhance prices for employers and cut back funds out there for affected person care.
They additionally mentioned employers haven’t acquired ample steering on acceptable health insurance coverage protection, minimal advantages, certification and attainable sanctions.
The associations known as for present NHIA-approved health insurance coverage protection to be recognised with out requiring employers or employees to enrol or pay twice.
Lagos obligatory insurance coverage coverage
Lagos State has maintained that health insurance coverage is obligatory for residents beneath an Executive Order signed by Mr Sanwo-Olu in July 2024.
The state authorities mentioned the brand new private health plan is meant to supply a further route for formal-sector workers and organisations to acquire protection, alongside the prevailing Ilera Eko scheme.
The authorities has given residents, employees and employers till 31 December 2026 to acquire acceptable protection, with enforcement scheduled to start on 1 January 2027.
READ ALSO: Nigeria’s health insurance coverage enrolment rises to 23 million — NHIA
The Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, mentioned the state was concentrating on a rise within the variety of insured residents from about two million to not less than 10 million.
The authorities has mentioned the coverage is geared toward decreasing reliance on out-of-pocket healthcare funds.
According to the state, the plan would additionally present extra predictable funds to healthcare suppliers and increase entry to care.
HMCAN and AHIPN, nevertheless, need the federal government to overview the 31 December deadline, arguing that employers want satisfactory discover, clear tips and a practical transition interval earlier than enforcement and sanctions start.
The associations known as for an pressing assembly involving the Lagos State Government, LASHMA, NHIA, employers, healthcare suppliers, labour and different stakeholders to resolve the excellent points and agree on a phased implementation.
Discover extra from Premium Times Nigeria
Subscribe to get the most recent posts despatched to your e mail.
