- Kwara State Health Insurance Agency announces premium increase effective December 1, 2024
- New rates: N15,500/year for informal sector, N18,000/year for formal sector, and N75,000/N87,000 for family packages
- Decision made to accommodate rising costs of drugs, consumables, and provider payouts
- Premium reviews supposed to be conducted every three years, but Kwara State hadn’t done so in seven years
The Kwara State Health Insurance Agency has announced an upward review of health insurance premiums for enrollees in the state. According to Dr. Olubunmi Jetawo-Winter, Executive Secretary of the Agency, the decision was made to accommodate the rising costs of drugs, consumables, and provider payouts in order to continue providing high-quality healthcare services.
The new premium rates are as follows:
- Informal Sector: N15,500 per person per year (up from N6,000)
- Formal Sector: N18,000 per person per year (up from N9,000)
- Family Package (Informal Sector): N75,000
- Family Package (Formal Sector): N87,000
Dr. Jetawo-Winter noted that the number of enrollees has risen to 70,000 in the last two months, partially due to inflation affecting the population. Despite the premium increase, Kwara State Health Insurance remains one of the most affordable and reliable ways to access healthcare.
Similar adjustments have already been implemented in most Nigerian states, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. Neighboring states, such as Kogi and Ondo, have had similar premium rates for years ¹. The National Health Insurance Agency (NHIA) has also raised drug and consumable tariffs and capitation for providers, funded by premiums paid by enrolled beneficiaries.
