Benefits of NHIS to Corps Members and How to enrol for NHIS

Enrollment of Corps Members into NHIS – NYSC Group Individual Family Health Finance Program

INTRODUCTION

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), in collaboration with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), has introduced the Group Individual Family Social Health Insurance Program (GIFSHIP) to provide corps members with comprehensive healthcare coverage during their service year. This initiative ensures that corps members have access to quality medical care while serving the nation, reducing financial burdens related to health emergencies.

This blog post provides a detailed guide on the enrollment process, benefits, and procedures for corps members to register under the NHIS – NYSC GIFSHIP program.

WHAT IS NHIS – NYSC GIFSHIP?

The NHIS – NYSC Group Individual Family Social Health Insurance Program (GIFSHIP) is a tailored health insurance package that covers the medical needs of corps members throughout their service year. Under this scheme, corps members can access medical services at accredited healthcare facilities across Nigeria at no additional cost.

KEY OBJECTIVES OF THE NHIS – NYSC GIFSHIP PROGRAM:

• Ensure corps members receive affordable and quality healthcare.
• Reduce out-of-pocket health expenses for corps members.
• Provide access to medical treatment across accredited hospitals nationwide.
• Promote preventive healthcare and early disease detection.
• Support a healthy and productive service year for corps members.

ELIGIBILITY FOR NHIS ENROLLMENT

All serving corps members are automatically eligible for enrollment in the NHIS under the NYSC GIFSHIP program. Enrollment begins during the orientation camp and continues throughout the service year.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR ENROLLMENT:

• NYSC Call-up Letter
• NYSC Identity Card (issued after camp registration)
• Personal details, including date of birth, contact information, and next of kin details
• Medical fitness report (where required for special cases)

ENROLLMENT PROCEDURE FOR NHIS – NYSC GIFSHIP

Corps members must follow these steps to enroll in the NHIS program:

Step 1: Attend Health Awareness Sessions

During the NYSC orientation camp, corps members will be introduced to the NHIS program through health awareness sessions. These sessions provide information on the benefits, coverage, and procedures for accessing healthcare services under NHIS. Corps members are encouraged to pay close attention and ask questions where necessary.

Step 2: Registration During Orientation

• Corps members will be required to fill out an NHIS enrollment form.
• Personal details and NYSC registration data will be collected for verification.
• A unique NHIS number will be assigned to each enrolled corps member.
• Some corps members with pre-existing health conditions may need to undergo additional health screenings.

Step 3: Selection of an NHIS-Accredited Hospital

• Corps members will be given a list of NHIS-accredited healthcare providers within their place of primary assignment (PPA).
• They must select a preferred healthcare facility where they will receive medical care throughout the service year.
• In cases where a chosen hospital is unavailable or lacks certain facilities, NHIS may assign an alternative hospital.

Step 4: Issuance of NHIS Membership Card

• After successful registration, corps members will receive an NHIS membership card.
• This card serves as proof of enrollment and must be presented when accessing healthcare services.
• Corps members are advised to keep their NHIS card safe and ensure it is not misplaced.

Step 5: Accessing Healthcare Services

Once registered, corps members can begin using NHIS services immediately. If they fall sick or require medical attention, they should:

1. Visit their selected NHIS-accredited hospital with their NHIS membership card.
2. Consult with the attending medical personnel and receive treatment as required.
3. Follow prescribed medications and treatments under the coverage of NHIS.
4. If referred for specialist treatment, ensure proper documentation and NHIS approval are obtained.

Procedures for Registration in NYSC Orientation Camp

How to apply for NYSC Exemption and Exclusion

How to Make Payments on NYSC Portal Using the Remita

Payment of the New Minimum Wage of 77k to Corps Members

BENEFITS OF NHIS – NYSC GIFSHIP FOR CORPS MEMBERS

1. Comprehensive Healthcare Coverage

The NHIS scheme covers a wide range of medical services, including consultations, laboratory tests, medications, and specialist care when necessary.

2. Financial Relief on Medical Expenses

Enrolled corps members do not have to pay out-of-pocket expenses for covered medical treatments, reducing the financial burden of healthcare during their service year.

3. Nationwide Accessibility

The NHIS has accredited healthcare providers across all states, ensuring that corps members receive medical attention irrespective of their deployment location.

4. Emergency Medical Services

In the event of a medical emergency, corps members can receive urgent medical care at accredited NHIS facilities without prior authorization. This ensures quick and lifesaving interventions when needed.

5. Preventive Healthcare Services

NHIS promotes preventive healthcare by covering vaccinations, screenings, and early detection of diseases, ensuring corps members stay healthy throughout their service year.

6. Maternity and Childcare Benefits

Female corps members who become pregnant during their service year can access maternity care, including antenatal services, delivery, and postnatal care.

7. Other Benefits

• Surgical procedures requiring specialist care.

• Medical and psychiatric cases requiring specialist care.

• Management of obstetrics and gynecological conditions,

• Treatment of opportunistic infections.

• Pediatric cases requiring specialist care.

NEED FOR REFERRAL

A patient may be referred from a Primary to a Secondary/Tertiary Service Facility or from a Secondary to a Tertiary Service Facility due to the need for specialized investigations, medical/ surgical reasons, or other services – diagnostic, physiotherapy, etc. Approval by the HMO is necessary, except in emergencies, and notification of such should be served within 48 hours.

Referrals should be to the nearest specialist as contained in the list of NHIS-accredited facilities in the area. All authorization codes must be given within 24 hours of the requesting facility contacting the HMO and when such requests are denied, the Health Care Facility (HCF) must be notified by a text message within 24 hours stating reasons for denial and copied to the NHIS and the NYSC.

COMPLAINTS/GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM

Complaints/Grievance Forms would be made available by NHIS and placed in all NYSC Local government offices. An enrolled corps member who is not satisfied with the treatment they received may send a text, an E-mail, or complete the complaints forms at their NYSC Local government office or any NHIS office nearest to them for immediate action. Complaints/grievances will be attended to within 24 hours and in not more than seven (7) days from the date of complaint/grievances submission.

Grievances/Complaints may include, but not limited to:

Out-of-stock refund request which shall be accompanied with the HCP signed prescription notes.

• Delayed release of referral code reports.
• Denial of referral code for a genuine and eligible diagnosis.
• Discrimination against NYSC corps members.
• Unsatisfactory service reported by corps members.

All grievance reports shall be handled within seven (7) days of receipt by the NHIS

PARTIAL EXCLUSIONS

• For high technology investigation e.g. CT scan, MRI, etc., the NHIS would pay 50% of the cost.
• Dialysis for renal failure (max 6 sessions)
• Management of obstetrics and gynecological conditions,

TOTAL EXCLUSIONS

A. Occupational/industrial injuries to the extent covered under the Workmen Compensation Act.

B. Injuries resulting from:

• Natural disasters, e.g. earthquakes, landslides.
• Conflicts, social unrest, riots, wars.
• Epidemics.
• Family planning commodities, including condoms.
• Injuries arising from extreme sports, e.g. car racing, horse racing, polo, mountaineering, boxing, wrestling, etc.
• Drug abuse/addiction.
• Domiciliary visit.
• Surgery – Mammoplasty.
• Ophthalmology – Provision of contact lenses.
• Medicine – Anti-tuberculosis drugs.
• Pediatrics – Treatment of congenital abnormalities requiring advanced surgical procedures e.g. TOF, ASD, VSD
• Obstetrics & Gynecology – Artificial inseminations, including IVF and ICSI
• Dental Care – Crowns and bridges, Bleaching and Implants; and
• Pathology – Postmortem examination.

CONTACT AND AREAS OF COVERAGE BY HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION FOR NHIS-NYSC GIFSHIP

S/N	Name of HMO	Zone	Phone No
1	Songhai Health Trust Limited	North-West	Mr. Sani Mohammed 08079393673 08038477403
2	Zuma Health Trust	North-Central	07062236824 09139381759
3	Venus Medicare Limited	North -East	09062445468 07037911473
4	Nonsuch Medicare Limited	South-East	09042621191 08078392043
5	Lifeworth Medicare Limited	South-West	Dr. Douglass Chibueze 09087199078 Dr. Tokunbo Adekoya 08113975312
6	Aiico Multishied	South-South	Mr. Oladiran Okunlola 08036910886 07077094003

S/N	Name	HMO	ZONE	Phone No	email
1	Dr. Ifeanyi Ezeani	Venus Medicare Ltd	North East	09062445468	Ifeanyi.ezeani@venusmedicare.com
2	Muizat Bukola Olatunde	Zuma Health Trust	North Central	07062236824 09139381759	Muizat.olatunde@zumahealthtrust.ng
3	Sani Aminu Mohammed	Songhai Health Trust	North West	08079393673 08038477403	sani@songhaihealthtrust.com
4	Ayodele Ojelade	Nonsuch MedicareLtd.	South East	07032305500	iccnonuschhmo@gmail.com
5	Mr. Oladiran Okunola	AIICO Multishied Ltd.	South South	08036910886 08077094003	ookunola@aiicomultishield.com
6	Mr. Douglas Chibueze	Life Worth HMO	South West	09087199078	Douglas.chibueze@lifeworthhmo.com

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is NHIS enrollment compulsory for corps members?

Yes, all corps members are automatically enrolled in NHIS during their service year.

2. Can a corps member change their NHIS-accredited hospital?

Yes, corps members can change their designated hospital by contacting the NHIS office in their state of deployment. However, this must be done following proper procedures and approvals.

3. Are dental and eye care services covered?

Yes, NHIS provides coverage for basic dental and eye care services, including consultations and treatment of common conditions.

4. What should a corps member do if an NHIS-accredited hospital refuses to provide treatment?

Corps members should report such incidents to the NHIS office within their state of deployment for resolution. They can also escalate complaints through the official NYSC or NHIS helplines.

5. Does NHIS cover surgery and advanced treatments?

Yes, but only certain approved surgical procedures are covered under the NHIS package. Corps members requiring major surgeries may need to go through NHIS approval processes.

Tips for Corps Members on NHIS Usage

• Always carry your NHIS card when visiting a hospital.
• Seek medical attention early to prevent minor illnesses from worsening.
• Report any issues with service delivery to NHIS officials.
• Familiarize yourself with NHIS-accredited hospitals in your area for easy access.
• Follow medical prescriptions and advice given by NHIS-accredited doctors.

Conclusion

The NHIS – NYSC GIFSHIP program is a vital initiative aimed at providing corps members with affordable and quality healthcare services during their service year. By enrolling in the program, corps members can access a wide range of medical treatments without financial strain. Ensuring a smooth registration process and understanding the benefits of the NHIS program will help corps members make the most of their health coverage during the NYSC period.

For more information and updates, visit the NHIS official website or the NYSC portal.