Early this week, Kenyan ICMIF member CIC Group announced the launch of a new medical product specifically for cooperatives in Kenya, named CoopCare.
The product will cover inpatient, outpatient, maternity, dental, optical, and last expense for cooperative members within Kenya. The cover will cater to cooperative members and their affiliates with a minimum membership of 10 principal members. The maximum joining age will be 70 years.
During the launch, CIC Group CEO Patrick Nyaga (pictured) said that in an ecosystem that is highly dependent on cooperatives, it is prudent to provide solutions that extend financial protection to members by reducing their exposure to risk in different facets, including healthcare. “Cooperatives are a huge enabler of financial inclusion and hold over 14 million members. Used as a tool for savings and investments, cooperatives not only increase financial access, but also provide a platform for communal growth. The CoopCare cover has been designed to reduce or eliminate member risk exposure through an affordable, accessible medical insurance product.’’ he said.
CoopCare will cover inpatient, outpatient, maternity, dental, optical and last expense benefits. Beneficiaries will have the option of purchasing inpatient only or both inpatient and outpatient covers. The cover includes benefits of up to KES 300,000 inpatient, KES 50,000 in outpatient, KES 25,000 in maternity KES 7,500 for dental and optical and KES 50,000 for last expense.
Fred Ruoro, Managing Director, General Insurance, commented “Out of pocket health and last expense expenditure can place a huge financial burden on the patient as well as their family and friends. Having a medical cover therefore becomes an essential part of financial protection, which is also aligned to cooperative goals which includes enhancing members’ socioeconomic health. With CoopCare, we hope to see more cooperative members get access to quality healthcare services at low costs. While access to healthcare is a right, sometimes it can lead to high accumulated costs which presents a financial burden. CoopCare has been built to ease this burden,”
The product includes selected a low cost provider panel that has mission hospitals and low cost private hospitals. Members can take up the product as a family package allowing up to six dependants (M+6) or as a Member only (M+0). Any family beyond the member and six dependants category will attract a minimal additional premium to cover the extra dependants. Premium rates range from Ksh. 2,500 to Ksh. 36,000 per year depending on the package.
