HMCAN, AHIPN Disown Endorsement of Lagos Private Health Plan, Seek Review of Implementation Framework

The Health and Managed Care Association of Nigeria (HMCAN) and the Association of Health Insurance Practitioners of Nigeria (AHIPN) have distanced themselves from the Lagos Private Health Plan (LPHP), declaring that they have not endorsed the scheme under its current framework.

The two professional associations said attendance at the plan’s launch, consultations or expressions of interest by individual Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) should not be interpreted as collective industry endorsement.

In a joint statement signed by their respective chairmen, Dr Abdulkadri Osumah of HMCAN and Dr Ben Okpalla of AHIPN, the associations also clarified that HMO accreditation does not amount to approval of a specific health insurance plan.

They called for the correction of media reports suggesting that the organised health management industry had endorsed the LPHP.

While reaffirming their support for the Federal Government’s directive on universal health coverage and the objectives of the Lagos State Executive Order aimed at giving effect to the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act 2022, the associations stressed that implementation must be lawful, affordable and properly coordinated.

They also commended Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his commitment to expanding health insurance coverage but maintained that the NHIA-Lagos communiqué of October 28–29, 2025, should serve as the foundation for implementing the scheme.

According to the associations, the communiqué recognises NHIA as the sole statutory regulator, makes participation in the LPHP voluntary for HMOs, preserves employers’ right to choose NHIA-approved health insurance plans and requires prior NHIA approval for all plans.

They further noted that the agreement provides for NHIA-issued, nationally recognised compliance certificates, with Lagos State collaborating in the process. The state may issue such certificates on behalf of NHIA, bearing the logos of both institutions.

Consequently, they urged NHIA and the Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) and other relevant authorities, to coordinate compliance and enforcement within their respective statutory mandates.

The associations also called for the publication of the applicable NHIA approval documentation to provide clarity to industry operators and employers.

Raising concerns over the financial implications of the proposed framework, HMCAN and AHIPN said their understanding was that it included an aggregate 13 per cent levy on private-sector health insurance arrangements.

They argued that the legal basis, calculation method and components of the proposed levy must be clearly explained, warning that imposing it alongside existing premiums and statutory obligations could create an additional financial burden for employers already funding healthcare for their workers.

According to them, additional charges should not undermine the affordability of health insurance or reduce the funds available for patient care.

The associations also expressed concern over what they described as inadequate communication of compliance requirements, noting that employers need clear and publicly available guidelines covering acceptable health insurance plans, minimum benefits, certification procedures and sanctions.

They insisted that existing NHIA-approved health insurance coverage should be recognised without requiring employers or beneficiaries to undertake duplicate enrolment or payments.

On the implementation timeline, the associations called for a review of the December 31, 2026 deadline, arguing that it should be assessed against the availability of comprehensive guidelines and functional compliance systems.

They maintained that employers must be given adequate notice and a realistic transition period before enforcement measures or sanctions take effect.

HMCAN and AHIPN, however, expressed their readiness to work with the Lagos State Government, LASHMA, NHIA, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), healthcare providers, labour organisations and other stakeholders to develop an agreed compliance roadmap.

They called for an urgent stakeholder meeting to resolve outstanding concerns and establish a phased implementation framework.

The associations further cautioned that, as Nigeria approaches another election season, the implementation process should remain consultative and avoid unnecessary industrial tension or disruption.

They stressed that the success of the initiative should be measured by its ability to protect existing enrollees, ensure timely payments to healthcare providers and extend reliable health insurance coverage to Nigerians who are currently uninsured.