Hygeia tops list of reaccredited HMOs

Chuks Udo Okonta

Following publications that made rounds in the media last week about HMOs that have been accredited by the National Health Insurance Scheme and the subsequent concerns expressed by members of these HMOs, NHIS, the body saddled with the responsibility of regulating health Insurance practice in the country on Tuesday, 9^{th of September uploaded a complete list of accredited HMOs with Hygeia HMO top in the list.}

The reaccreditation came on the heels of an assessment exercise conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on behalf of NHIS to ascertain the strength and potentials of the 77 accredited Health Maintenance Organizations; the six months period given to the HMOs to make necessary amendments to their shortcomings as noted in the report submitted after the exercise elapsed on August 31, 2014.Thirty nine (39)HMOs made it into the list.

The release signed by the body’s Head of Media and Public Relations, Mr Ayo Osinlu stated that "This period of grace lapsed on 31st of August, 2014 and NHIS is compelled in the overriding interest of enrollees, to announce the list of HMOs with their heads above water, the Scheme wishes to state, that the exercise was effectively concluded on 31st August 2014. Only documents submitted on or before this date have been considered. HMOs with issues however have up till the end of September 2014 to rectify such with the Standard and Quality Assurance Department of the Scheme. This statement supersedes any other contrary insinuation in the media or other spheres of public space, please"

While reacting to the development, the Chief Executive Officer of one of the HMOs that made the list, Hygeia HMO, Mr Ramesh Kurup expressed his appreciation to the firm’s enrollees, clients, other stakeholders and the general public for remaining calm and unperturbed despite concerns in recent days with regards to the company’s state after the reaccreditation exercise. ‘We are very pleased with the level of confidence reposed in us by all our stakeholders; this has gone a long way to further convince us that our brand is well accepted and respected in the Industry; there was no panic whatsoever; the general public believes in us and the strength of our brand" Kurup stated.

He also expressed deep appreciation of the Executive Secretary and the management of the NHIS for a speedy formal clarification and the reassurance that this clarification gives to customers of various HMO and the health sector at large.

Hygeia HMO has been at the forefront of providing quality managed care for the past 28years having built an enviable reputation working with a wide network of hospitals including Lagoon Hospitals among over 450 hospitals in their private hospital network and over 1500 hospitals in the public sector network. This network of hospitals has a nationwide presence including all 36 states and the Federal capital territory