L-R: The Commissioner for Insurance/CEO, National Insurance Commission(NAICOM), Mr. Olusegun Omosehin, ably represented by the Head, Lagos Office, NAICOM, Dr. Julius Odidi; the Chairperson, Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Mrs. Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu, represented by the Director General/CEO, NIA, Mrs Bola Odukale and the Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, AXA Mansard Insurance Plc, Mr Olusesan Ogunyooye at the Inauguration of the new Executives of the Nigerian Association of Insurance and Pension Editors (NAIPE), in Victoria Island (VI) Lagos on Thursday.
By LOVETH-AZODO CHIJIOKE, Lagos.
AXA Mansard Insurance Plc has introduced a WhatsApp-based digital platform, Karis, aimed at reducing delays in treatment authorisation and improving access to healthcare services for health insurance enrollees.
The company said the platform was developed to simplify the process of accessing health insurance services by enabling customers to obtain treatment approvals, verify their healthcare benefits and locate accredited healthcare providers directly through WhatsApp.
Speaking at the investiture of the new executive committee of the Nigerian Association of Insurance and Pension Editors (NAIPE) in Lagos, the Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at AXA Mansard, Mr. Olusesan Ogunyooye, said the innovation addresses common challenges faced by enrollees, including prolonged waiting periods for treatment authorisation, uncertainty over health plan benefits and reliance on customer service representatives or employers for information.
According to him, Karis eliminates the need for users to download a separate application, allowing customers to access healthcare services by simply sending a message to a dedicated WhatsApp number.
He explained that the platform authenticates users through their registered phone numbers and Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) identification numbers before providing access to available services.
Ogunyooye said enrollees can use the platform to request treatment authorisation, confirm the benefits attached to their health plans, identify accredited healthcare facilities and obtain other health insurance information in real time.
“The goal is to remove unnecessary delays that often prevent customers from receiving timely medical attention. By leveraging a platform that millions of Nigerians already use daily, we are making health insurance services more accessible, convenient and efficient,” he said.
He added that the platform would also improve operational efficiency for healthcare providers by reducing administrative bottlenecks, speeding up treatment approvals and enhancing patient flow within hospitals.
According to him, the introduction of Karis reflects AXA Mansard’s commitment to deploying technology to improve customer experience and make healthcare delivery more responsive to the needs of its enrollees.
Meanwhile, the newly inaugurated Chairperson of NAIPE, Mrs. Ebere Nwoji, commended AXA Mansard for sponsoring the association’s investiture ceremony and urged the company to sustain its commitment to prompt claims settlement.
She described the insurer as a company recognised for quality service, innovation, prudent management and claims payment, expressing confidence that it would continue to strengthen its position in the industry after the ongoing recapitalisation exercise.
Nwoji also pledged that the association would continue collaborating with the insurer to promote insurance awareness, education and public sensitisation across the country.
News1 week ago
News1 week ago