SUNU Health Nigeria Limited has reaffirmed its support for the National Health Insurance Authority’s newly introduced one-hour authorization response policy, as it convened healthcare providers in Lagos and Ogun states to strengthen collaboration and improve healthcare service delivery.
The commitment was made during the HMO’s second-quarter Providers’ Forum for the Lagos-Ogun region, held at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, under the theme, “Improving Quality and Access to Care Through Stronger Provider Network.”
The forum brought together hundreds of healthcare providers who engaged with SUNU Health officials on strategies to enhance access to quality healthcare for enrollees.
Speaking on behalf of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Faith Nwachi, the company’s Chief Operating Officer, said SUNU Health remains committed to operating within regulatory and operational frameworks that guarantee quality healthcare for its enrollees.
According to her, improving access to quality care requires deliberate collaboration, strategic partnerships and a shared commitment among stakeholders within the healthcare system.
“Access to care and quality of care remain key priorities in our healthcare systems. We know quite well that deliberate collaboration, strategic partnerships, and a shared commitment to excellence are required to achieve these priorities.
”A strong provider network is doubtless the backbone of any effective healthcare system. It ensures that our mutual enrollees receive the right care, at the right time, in the right place, and at the right price,” she said.
Nwachi also assured participants that SUNU Health would fully comply with the NHIA directive requiring Health Maintenance Organisations to respond to treatment authorization requests within one hour.
She noted that the policy aligns with the organisation’s commitment to prompt service delivery and its corporate philosophy of placing humanity at the centre of its operations.
As part of efforts to improve efficiency, the HMO also unveiled its new operational software and mobile application, known as SUNU Legacy, which is expected to simplify service delivery and improve interactions between providers and enrollees.
Also speaking at the forum, Bethuel-Kasimu Abraham said the one-hour authorization policy was introduced to reduce delays in accessing healthcare services, ensure continuity of care and improve patient outcomes.
He explained that where an HMO fails to respond to an authorization request within the stipulated one-hour period, healthcare providers should notify the NHIA via email, copying the HMO and attaching evidence showing when the request was made, before proceeding to treat the enrollee.
According to him, the policy is also intended to strengthen accountability among Health Maintenance Organisations.
The NHIA Ogun State Coordinator, Dare Adefeso, acknowledged complaints from enrollees regarding shortages of medicines and instances of discrimination by some healthcare providers.
He said the authority was addressing the issues and stressed that all accredited facilities must provide care to patients with valid health insurance irrespective of their status.
Also addressing participants, Aishat Tiamiyu, commended SUNU Health for its service delivery, revealing that the National Orientation Agency has remained enrolled with the HMO for more than 25 years.
She urged the immediate enrolment of newly recruited NOA personnel into the health insurance scheme.
