Getting health insurance in Nigeria is not difficult, the only challenge is choosing the right Health Management Organization (HMO).
If you are on this boat, don’t worry, we have carefully reviewed the 20 best HMOs in Nigeria and listed them here so you can make the right choice when it comes to managing your health. But firstly:
What Is an HMO?
A Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) is an insurance structure that provides health care coverage to its members, through a network of physicians, for a stipulated monthly or annual fee.
HMOs, build their network of health care providers consisting of clinical facilities and specialists, and primary care physicians, by entering a contract with them.
Those in the contract with the HMO will be paid an agreed fee to offer a range of services to people who subscribe to the Health Maintenance Organisation.
This fixed payment is why HMOs can offer lower premiums than the deal offered by other types of health insurance, while still maintaining high-quality medical care and retaining their network of care providers.
List of Best HMOs in Nigeria
Below is a comprehensive list of the top-rated HMOs in Nigeria we have compiled based on service quality:
- Reliance
- Hygeia
- RedCare
- IHMS
- Health Point
- AIICO
- Healthcare Security Limited
- MetroHealth
- Greenbay
- Total Health Trust
- Roding
- Anchor
- Swift
- Lifeworth
- Axa Mansard
- Sterling Health
- Novo
- Royal Exchange
- Princeton Health Limited
- Defence Health Limited
1. Reliance
Reliance HMO makes it to the top of our list of the best HMOs in Nigeria.
They have an all-inclusive health plan, that caters to the health care of your employees, family (from children to aged parents), and yourself.
This plan allows you to free your mind from the worries and stress that come with paying huge sums for medical bills and treating illnesses, as you can rest assured knowing that the health of everyone under your care has been ensured.
They offer you resources like a list of available partner hospitals in different states in the country, a downloadable care app, and a retail benefit list that shows the prices and benefits of their Retail Red Beryl Plan and Retail Alexandrite Plan, which medical personnel these plans cover as well as services and forms of health care you gain access to as a member.
Organizations that use Reliance HMO for their business include Jumia, OPay, Kudi, Tizeti, Paystack, Kudi, etc.
2. Hygeia
Hygeia is one of the top HMOs in Nigeria that you can use to access your slice of affordable healthcare. They are also one of the oldest HMO in Nigeria founded in 1984.
The health plans offered by Hygeia are suitable for both individuals and families, and you can benefit from them, whether you are an individual, family, senior citizen, pregnant woman, or SME, as they offer health plans for everyone.
In addition, Hygeia is one of the best HMO for pregnant women in Nigeria. They also provide access to health care for employees of small businesses, medium-sized businesses, or SMEs, and they have partnered with big brands like:
- GTBank
- UAC Food
- Interswitch
- Shell
- Emzor
- Multichoice Nigeria
3. RedCare
Redcare is one of the cheapest HMOs in Nigeria as they offer budget-friendly and affordable healthcare plans that are suitable for individuals who just want personal healthcare tailored specifically for them.
Additionally, Redcare acts as an HMO for families, companies, and parastatals.
Redcare’s One Healthcare package is all in one offering both curative and preventive medicine, well-being services, and healthcare insurance, and a cost-effective and convenient international healthcare package you can use anywhere in the world.
Other health plan services offered by Redcare are corporate and private health plans, clinic services management, pre-employment tests, and drug and alcohol tests.
4. IHMS
IHMS (International Health Management Services) HMO is owned and managed by medical practitioners and institutional investors and provides Social Health Insurance, family health care, health insurance services, and private health insurance to individuals, companies, and families.
Health plans offered by IHMS HMO include – a retail health plan, corporate, group, and association, tertiary institution social health insurance, community-based social health insurance, mega health plan, third-party administration health plan, worksite clinic plan, and international health plan.
5. Health Point
Healthpoint HMO also makes it to the top of the List of HMO in Nigeria as they provide universal health care coverage and make health care affordable and accessible to everyone regardless of age, gender, or health and socioeconomic status.
As part of their inclusive healthcare initiative, Healthpoint offers free healthcare insurance to widows and orphans.
The subscription packages for HealthPoint are standard, PRO, and PRO+, and they cover different medical care services and benefits at affordable rates.
6. AIICO
AIICO HMO is one of the earliest Health Maintenance Organisations in Nigeria, and provides medical advice to restore and preserve clients’ health, and makes available a long list of healthcare centers, where you can avail premium medical care.
AIICO’s well-founded pool of resources provides quality healthcare services to members, and they partner with a team of highly motivated medical professionals.
Clients of AIICO are Dulfil, WEMA Bank, FEDEX, and the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA).
7. Healthcare Security Limited
Healthcare Security Limited offers health insurance plans that are tailored to cater to the health needs of you and your loved ones, and that are affordable to any type of income earner.
Their plans range from Executive to Standard, to Budget Plus, to Budget Plan.
8. MetroHealth
MetroHealth HMO offers a quality health plan that is tailored for you.
This inclusive and diverse Health Maintenance Organisation provides different health services that are created to meet the healthcare needs of different types of people.
Health plans available are Corporate And Self And Family Plan, Sweet Sixties, Metroflexi, and Metro Telemedicine.
MetroHealth’s health plans cover medical needs like Laboratory and Diagnostic tests, HIV and AIDS care and treatment, Pregnancy, Dental Care, etc.
9. Greenbay
Greenbay offers dependable healthcare plans that are guaranteed to cover the health needs of you, your family, and your employees at an affordable price.
By choosing Greenbay, you are ensured to get reliable healthcare plans for you and your family and enable your staff to enjoy high-quality healthcare in Nigeria.
10. Total Health Trust
Total Health Trust HMO is a member of Liberty Health, they offer health insurance solutions to corporates and SMEs for employees, in Nigeria and across Africa as well.
Their healthcare plans include -Lite, Classic, Classic Critical Care, Plus Africa, and Global Elite.
11. Roding
Roding Healthcare Limited provides quality, timely, and affordable health needs to members.
Roding HMO uses a combination of experience, expertise, and professionalism, to dispense health insurance that is well catered to individual needs.
12. Anchor
Anchor provides you with easy access to quality health services that suit both individuals and businesses.
For businesses especially, the Anchor health plans are designed to meet the healthcare needs of employees from big and small employers.
Anchor HMO holds contracts with over 900 clinics/hospitals nationwide.
13. Swift
All the plans offered by Swift HMO, are specially tailored to provide medical cover for individuals and families alike. They also offer healthcare plans for employees of large and small businesses.
The health insurance offered by Swift HMO covers services like preventive treatments and checkups.
14. Lifeworth
Lifeworth HMO offers budget-friendly individual plans that meet your health care needs, as well as health insurance plans that cover couples, family, corporate, community, and private and international entities.
15. AXA Mansard
Axa Mansard is one of the best HMOs located in Lagos state. They offer affordable, flexible, and quality healthcare plans, that suit individual and family needs, and can also be customized to serve corporate organizations, groups, and employees or serve as international healthcare coverage.
Additionally, Mansard offers life and non-life insurance products and services to individuals and institutions and also provides asset/investment management services, health management services, and pension fund administration through its subsidiaries – AXA Mansard Investments Limited, AXA Mansard Health Limited, and AXA Mansard Pensions Limited.
16. Sterling Health
Sterling Health has health plans that provide a comprehensive, affordable, and quality product that covers all levels of care.
By signing up as a member of Sterling Health, you have access to medical services such as ambulance transportation services, lab tests, preventive programs, quarterly health checks, and international health plans.
17. Novo
Novo HMO prides itself on providing its member’s excellent coordination and efficient delivery of health care services, better client experience, enhanced client engagement, reduced medical errors, and improved clinical outcomes.
The health plans offered by Novo include the NHA Corporate Plan, tailored for corporate organizations in any industry, and the NHA Retail Plan an extensive health coverage that cares for students, small business owners, domestic staff, and extended family members.
The NHA Transnational Plan an initiative borne out of a partnership with international World Class Facilities, aims at providing access to quality healthcare for patients whose illnesses cannot be treated locally with the classic NHIS Plan which is dedicated to providing quality healthcare for Nigerians regardless of their socio-economic status.
18. Royal Exchange
As an insurance firm, Royal Exchange Healthcare acts as a financial intermediary for the healthcare industry and sits as a liaison between members of the HMO and the selected healthcare providers who will be catering to them.
Royal Exchange Healthcare’s primary function is to design medical health plans for their members that are flexible and accommodating. They have a wide network of healthcare providers with a large coverage across various states.
19. Princeton Health Limited
Princeton Health Limited was established to ensure that all individuals gain unrestricted access to quality medical care regardless of factors like age, tribe, academic qualification, or social status.
In addition to providing medical care for sick members, Princeton Health strives to inspire and promote the image, lifestyle, and healthy living of their members, by responding to health issues 24/7 promptly.
Being inclusive, the health insurance plans offered by Princeton, are tailored for the care of individuals, families, and businesses who value freedom, generous benefits, and quality. Members have access to the nearest and best hospitals near their homes, offices, or children’s schools.
20. Defence Health Limited
Defense Health Limited is owned and managed by the Ministry of Defense and the Nigerian armed forces, it was established to fix the challenges of providing quality healthcare services to all eligible military personnel who are either serving or retired and their families who otherwise don’t have access to it.
Defense Health Limited is specifically for the members of the military and their families, and it operates as a body that houses and unifies the health resources and care of armed forces like the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Defense Health Limited provides these armed forces and their families with a widespread network of healthcare providers and professionals, who are civilians to enable them to access quality healthcare services while serving their country.
Frequently Asked Questions about HMOs
1. What does HMO stand for? The term HMO stands for Health Maintenance Organization
2. Which body regulates HMOs in Nigeria? The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) regulates the activities of HMO Companies in Nigeria.
3. Which HMO is the best in Nigeria? There is no single best health maintenance organization in Nigeria as they all have plans tailored for different individuals. However, you can use our list of Best HMOs in Nigeria above as a guide to make an informed choice according to your health needs.
4. When was HMO introduced in Nigeria? The concept of HMO in Nigeria was first introduced in 1996, however, it was in 1999 that the Nigerian Government took a definite step to establish a National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) now called (NHIA).
5. How many HMOs are in Nigeria? As of 2023, there are currently over 77 Registered HMOs in Nigeria.
6. Is HMO compulsory in Nigeria? No, Registering under an HMO is not compulsory in Nigeria, but it is advisable to have health insurance as It subsidizes the cost of healthcare.
7. Does HMO cover surgery in Nigeria? Yes, most HMOs in Nigeria cover the cost of surgeries, but it depends on the plan you opt in for.
Conclusion
Usually, obtaining a health insurance plan in Nigeria is a process that most Nigerians aren’t conversant with, often because they are uninformed about the benefits of various health insurance packages and how each of them works or they don’t know about the various HMOs which they could use to access these benefits.
You need good health insurance for yourself, your family, and your employees, and using a standard Health Maintenance Organization like the ones we’ve listed above, is the surest way for you to get it.
