Ultimate Health HMO Targets Diaspora, Students In Health Insurance Expansion Drive

Ultimate Health HMO has disclosed its plan to expand health insurance access to Nigerians in the diaspora and youths in tertiary institutions, while also advocating for stronger enforcement of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act to drive enrollment across the country.

The managing director/CEO of Ultimate Health HMO, Otunba Lekan Ewenla, who disclosed this at the company’s 14th Annual General Meeting in Abuja, also said that the organisation has increased its share capital to ₦1 billion, surpassing the regulatory minimum of ₦750 million for national HMOs.

He said the move signals the company’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and broader coverage, especially for vulnerable groups who traditionally lack access to regular healthcare services.

“We have introduced a unique diaspora health insurance scheme for Nigerians living abroad who want to secure continuous healthcare access for their dependents back home. This initiative is already being embraced in countries like the U.S. and the U.K.,” Ewenla revealed.

He noted that a significant percentage of foreign remittances sent to Nigeria are meant for healthcare, but many beneficiaries receive fragmented or one-off care due to lack of structure.

The HMO, he said, is stepping in to provide consistent coverage through direct partnerships with diaspora communities, churches, mosques, and retail businesses abroad.

Ewenla also called for urgent action by the federal government to enforce mandatory enrollment in health insurance, as stipulated in the 2022 NHIA Act. He urged the NHIA to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Education and regulatory bodies like NUC, NBTE, and NCCE to ensure that students across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions are covered.

“There are over 20 million youths in tertiary institutions. If we get just a fraction enrolled, the risk pool will be strengthened,” he stated, adding that the current ₦2,000 annual premium under the tertiary scheme is insufficient and should be reviewed.

To ease adoption, Ultimate Health HMO is engaging with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and proposing a framework for institutions to integrate health insurance payments into tuition processes, he said.

In line with global healthcare best practices, Ewenla also unveiled a “pre-booking system” aimed at cutting down waiting times at hospitals for enrollees. Through a digital scheduling platform, enrollees can notify their HMO and hospitals in advance of their visits, ensuring faster and more efficient service delivery.

“We’ve reduced average waiting time to 10 minutes and aim to get it down to five minutes. It’s all about dignity in care,” he said.

He further emphasised a shift toward preventive healthcare, noting that 70–75 per cent of resources will now go into proactive interventions to promote wellness rather than only treating illness.

Ewenla also reiterated that on the federal government scheme, medications are expected to be warehoused and dispensed by accredited facilities, emphasising that there should be no reason for enrollees to purchase drugs outside the system.

“Prompt settlement of provider bills is not negotiable. We operate on integrity and best practices, and every player must comply with NHIA’s operational guidelines,” he said.

The 14th AGM also reviewed the company’s operations, affirmed strategic plans for 2025 and beyond, and highlighted the importance of aligning with national goals to improve Nigeria’s health indices.

Also speaking, the Board Chairman, Angela Ajala, expressed the company’s commitment to customer satisfaction and timely claims settlement, particularly for the underserved.

“We prioritise the needs of our enrollees, especially the masses who rely on this program. Our claims settlement is prompt. That is our culture and our pride,” she said.