Britam General Insurance customers will now be able to access outpatient medical care and minor medical services at select outlets following a new deal.
The insurer has partnered with Haltons, GoodLife, Malibu and MYDAWA Online Pharmacies to launch a medical care service for out patients, in an effort to cut out of pocket spend for medical expenses.
It is estimated that Kenyans spend about Sh150 billion in out-of-pocket expenditures on health services a year, driving nearly a million into poverty despite the State’s efforts on ensuring financial protection.
The CEO and Principal Officer of Britam General Insurance, Jackson Theuri said that the programme is designed to cater to customers who wish to manage their outpatient benefits efficiently to ensure coverage for the entire year without incurring out-of-pocket medical expenses.
"By leveraging the expertise of accredited pharmacies, we are making healthcare more accessible and convenient for our valued customers as well as helping them conserve their outpatient benefits for more complicated ailments that require hospital visits," said Theuri.
Insurance penetration is still low in the country as, reports show that Kenyans have been shunning health covers, which could help deal with costs associated with illness, treatment, and care further raising the amount spent on health services from the pockets.
The Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS) 2022 shows that just one in four Kenyans has some form of health insurance, with the country’s health insurance coverage at 20 percent, according to the Ministry of Health.
The government targets to hit 80 per cent of the population enrolled in health insurance coverage by 2030.
Britam says it has has decided to capitalise on offering its clients a high-quality alternative healthcare as well as stretch out their outpatient benefits.
Recognising that many Kenyans’ initial point of contact for uncomplicated health issues is often their local pharmacy.
The Program is majorly set to prioritise convenience and speed of service for customers by reducing the inconvenience of lengthy hospital visits for those who often need to dedicate a few hours for hospital visits.
Britam says that if the condition can be treated at the pharmacy, then the necessary medications will be provided and it will cover for the associated costs.
Clients with chronic medical conditions such as hypertension and diabetes will be allowed to have a program that allows for quick and convenient medication refills at partner pharmacies.
Clients with more complex health issues will be referred to a Britam-accredited hospital where specialised care is available.
The program, will cover a wide range of common diagnoses, including acute peptic ulcer disease, malaria, acute sinusitis, rhinitis and rhinopharyngitis, acute otitis externa, acute otitis media, and acute diarrhoea.
In addition to these diagnoses, the program also includes coverage for musculoskeletal pain, bruises, minor lacerations, uncomplicated urinary tract infections, skin and soft tissue infections (viral, fungal and bacterial), uncomplicated hypertension and uncomplicated type 2 diabetes.
The government of Kenya has so far established the policy foundation for comprehensive cancer control.
Various partners such as the Japanese government promising to provide mammogram machines that could serve each county in Kenya in the right direction.
As most Kenyans are a sickness away from poverty as shown by WHO's recent report.