(L-R) The MD/CEO of Avon Healthcare Limited (Avon HMO), Adesimbo Ukiri and the Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, CFR, during the launch of Avon HMO’s new range of critical care top-up health plans in Lagos.
In a bid to ensure that people have access to medical cover for critical illnesses and life-threatening health emergencies, hitherto mostly uncovered by existing HMO plans, Avon Healthcare Limited (Avon HMO) has announced the introduction of a new range of health plans; “Critical Care Top-Up Plans”.
This announcement was made at the company’s product launch event which was held at their headquarters in Lagos.
According to the CEO of Avon HMO, Adesimbo Ukiri, the new Critical Care Top-up health plans – Avon A.C.E. Global, Avon Revive, Avon Secure and Avon Secure Lite – are designed to provide people with extra protection from severe or terminal illnesses at affordable premium.
“These health plans have been designed to cater to a wide range of people at various income levels by providing them with increased coverage for hospitalization, treatment and required rehabilitation in the event of critical, acute, and life-threatening health conditions and emergencies. Their benefits include coverage for all consultations, necessary investigations, medications and other treatments necessary for conditions such as cancer, renal failure, heart attack, stroke etc. For many Nigerians, having a plan from this range can be the difference between life and death, especially as they would not have to resort to crowdfunding on social media to pay hefty medical bills.”
The critical care top-up plans also provide support services like care coordination across reputable hospitals nationwide, case management by experienced medical professionals, and post-treatment rehabilitation.
Speaking further, Adesimbo mentioned that the critical care top-up plans are incredibly versatile because they offer Nigerians a wide range of options and advantages, even if they are already subscribed to the state, federal or private health insurance plans.
“For people on health plans with coverage limits that barely cover serious illnesses and acute conditions, our critical care top-up plans are a valuable addition. They are also perfect for people who claim to never fall ill but still want the peace of mind that comes with having a health plan that adequately covers sudden and critical health emergencies.”
With these new health plans, Avon HMO further cements its position as an industry leader and a company of many firsts. It was the first HMO in Nigeria to provide health plans for the retail market segment; catering to individuals, couples, and families that did not belong to any corporate organization. Avon HMO was also the first to launch online health plan subscriptions, offering Nigerians the opportunity to subscribe and pay for health plans on their phones and other mobile devices.
For Adesimbo, the new plans are yet another demonstration of Avon HMO’s commitment to empowering people to live healthier, fuller lives by providing them with access to healthcare services when needed, without the financial burden becoming a life-threatening obstacle.
Also speaking at the occasion, Tony Elumelu, Group Chairman, Heirs Holdings Limited stressed that health is critical to the prosperity of a nation. “Avon HMO has gone beyond health management services, they have been pushing enlightenment, education and insure us. I commend the team and recommend the top-up products that they have just unveiled to everyone irrespective of the HMO that they use.”
While underlining the significance of the event, Femi Akingbade, General Manager of the Nigeria Health Insurance Authority for the Lagos Region said, “Everybody in the country should have a basic minimum plan. Private HMOs are now supposed to sell a top-up to that plan. Avon is being proactive and that is what we want. We want the private HMOs to be in the business of top-ups. What is missing in the basic minimum package is what the HMOs should concentrate on selling. I congratulate Avon Healthcare for taking a bold step as the first company to go beyond the basic minimum package which is defined in the National Health Act and launch the supplementary and complementary top-ups.”
