Tech firm extends medical insurance cover to rural areas

Kenyans gathered at a past public rally. FILE PHOTO | NMG

By JAMES KARIUKI
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Summary

• Kenyans can now get healthcare services from rural-based facilities through insurance companies and employers.
• This is after biometric technology firm, Smart Applications International inked a partnership with Rural Private Hospitals Association (Rupha) enabling health providers to treat patients whose payments will be made by third parties.
• Smart Applications managing director Harrison Muriu said this will also enhance automation of processes within hospitals including use of mobile apps as well as foster adoption of telehealth services.

Kenyans can now get healthcare services from rural-based facilities through insurance companies and employers.

This is after biometric technology firm, Smart Applications International inked a partnership with Rural Private Hospitals Association (Rupha) enabling health providers to treat patients whose payments will be made by third parties.

Smart Applications managing director Harrison Muriu said this will also enhance automation of processes within hospitals including use of mobile apps as well as foster adoption of telehealth services.

“This will promote growth of health insurance among Kenyans as all transactions will be foolproof ad backed by biometric identity recognition,” he said.

Rupha chairman Brian Lishenga welcomed the development saying it will improve healthcare delivery and access in the country.

Patients holding the smartcards will access Rupha member facilities from privately-owned medical centres, outpatient services, ambulatory care centres, rehabilitation centres, nursing homes, diagnostic centres and hospitals in the 47 counties.

Healthcare delivery has for years suffered from fraud, making health underwriters to increase premiums beyond the reach of many Kenyans due to exorbitant claims.

This, said Mr Muniu, could best be curbed by the smart bio-cards that ensure only holders use the same for treatment.

The development also opens medical services across Kenya to more people as health facilities will recognise the smartcards for payment purposes.

Some companies in Kenya facilitate treatment for their employees and their families via issuance of a smartcard usually provided by medical underwriters.

Last year, medical underwriters made a Sh204 million profit from a loss of Sh1.08 billion in 2018 and Sh514 million in 2017, revealing the need for increased use of technology to track beneficiaries.

Health payments tech-firm, Carepay has been running its M-Tiba product where employers load money on an employee’s phone, purposely for settling medical bill.