....as HMCAN, AHIPN fault 13% levy, seek regulatory clarity, review of December 2026 deadline
By SAM POPOOLA, Lagos
The Health and Managed Care Association of Nigeria (HMCAN) and the Association of Health Insurance Practitioners of Nigeria (AHIPN) have rejected any suggestion that they have collectively endorsed the Lagos Private Health Plan (LPHP), insisting that its implementation must await the necessary regulatory approval from the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
The associations, in a joint statement issued on Thursday and signed by their respective chairmen, Dr Abdulkadri Osuma
h and Dr Ben Okpalla, said the plan could not be endorsed in its current form until the required approval was obtained in accordance with the NHIA Act 2022 and the agreed regulatory framework.
They stressed that attendance at the plan's launch, participation in consultations, or expressions of interest by individual Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) should not be interpreted as collective endorsement by the industry.
According to them, accreditation as an HMO is distinct from obtaining regulatory approval for a specific health insurance scheme.
The associations consequently called for corrections to reports suggesting that the HMO industry had collectively endorsed the Lagos State initiative.
Despite their reservations, HMCAN and AHIPN reaffirmed their support for the Federal Government's drive towards universal health coverage and the objectives of the Lagos State Executive Order intended to give effect to the NHIA Act 2022.
They also commended Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his commitment to expanding access to healthcare, but maintained that the implementation of the plan must be lawful, affordable and properly coordinated among the relevant regulatory authorities.
INSIST ON NHIA'S REGULATORY AUTHORITY
The associations said the communiqué issued following discussions between the NHIA and Lagos State on October 28 and 29, 2025, provided the agreed foundation for implementing the plan.
They maintained that the framework recognises the NHIA as the sole statutory regulator, makes participation by HMOs in the LPHP voluntary, preserves employers' right to select NHIA-approved health insurance plans and requires prior NHIA approval for all schemes.
They further noted that the communiqué provides for nationally recognised compliance certificates to be issued by the NHIA in collaboration with state authorities.
“Lagos State could issue certificates on behalf of the NHIA bearing the logos of both institutions, while the NHIA and the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), alongside other relevant authorities, should coordinate compliance and enforcement within their respective mandates,” the associations stated.
They called for the publication of the applicable NHIA approval documents to establish the plan's regulatory status and eliminate uncertainty among employers, HMOs and other stakeholders.
FAULT 13% LEVY ON HEALTH INSURANCE
HMCAN and AHIPN also expressed concern over what they described as an aggregate 13 per cent levy or tax on private-sector health insurance arrangements under the implementation framework.
They requested clarification on the legal basis of the levy, how it would be calculated and the specific charges that make up the total.
According to the associations, imposing additional levies on top of existing insurance premiums and statutory obligations could increase the financial burden on employers already paying for their workers' healthcare.
They warned that the additional costs could undermine the affordability of private health insurance, reduce the funds available for patient care and discourage employers from maintaining health coverage for their employees.
The groups insisted that any additional charges must be carefully assessed to avoid undermining efforts to expand access to essential healthcare services.
DEMAND CLEAR COMPLIANCE GUIDELINES
The associations further argued that the compliance requirements for the LPHP had not been communicated with sufficient clarity.
They called for comprehensive guidelines specifying acceptable health insurance coverage, minimum benefit requirements, certification procedures and applicable sanctions.
The guidelines, they said, should align with the presidential directive on universal health coverage and provide clear instructions for employers seeking to comply with the requirements.
They also insisted that existing NHIA-approved health insurance coverage should be recognised under the Lagos implementation framework to prevent duplicate enrolment and unnecessary additional payments.
According to them, employers already providing qualifying health insurance coverage should not be subjected to avoidable financial and administrative burdens through duplicative requirements.
SEEK REVIEW OF DECEMBER 2026 DEADLINE
HMCAN and AHIPN also called for a review of the December 31, 2026, compliance deadline, arguing that the implementation timetable should reflect the availability of comprehensive guidelines and functional compliance systems.
They said employers must be given adequate notice and a realistic transition period before enforcement measures and sanctions commence.
The associations warned that imposing penalties before the relevant requirements and administrative processes were fully established could create uncertainty for employers, HMOs and healthcare providers.
They reaffirmed their readiness to work with the Lagos State Government, LASHMA, the NHIA, the Nigeria Employers' Consultative Association (NECA), healthcare providers, organised labour and other stakeholders to resolve outstanding concerns.
The groups maintained that a transparent and properly coordinated implementation framework was essential to ensuring that the Lagos Private Health Plan advances universal health coverage without imposing unnecessary costs or creating regulatory uncertainty for employers and healthcare providers.
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