In a world where healthcare costs continue to rise, the idea of affordable health insurance has become more critical than ever. In Kenya, where a single hospital stay can exceed Ksh150,000, many people are left struggling with financial decisions when it comes to medical care. However, Britam’s Bima Ya Mwananchi (BYM) health insurance offers an affordable solution for as little as Ksh4,600 a year – roughly the cost of two fast-food meals a month.
Britam’s health cover is designed to serve the common man, referred to as “Wanjiku” in Kenya, ensuring that healthcare access is available even to the most underserved communities. By leveraging WhatsApp, Britam has simplified the application process, making it easier for Kenyans to obtain health cover without the traditional barriers of paperwork, long queues, and office visits.
With this plan, you can secure peace of mind for yourself and your family, knowing that health expenses are covered without straining your budget. In this article, we’ll explore what the Ksh383 per month cover provides, how to apply via WhatsApp, and how flexible coverage options allow families to tailor their plans to suit their needs.
What Does Ksh383 Per Month Get You?
For just Ksh4,600 annually, the Option 1 plan offers up to Ksh75,000 for inpatient care, covering various treatments and surgeries. This is an impressive entry-level offer, providing a solid base of protection. The coverage includes hospitalisation costs like drugs, dressings, surgical appliances, ICU charges, theatre costs, and surgery fees for doctors, surgeons, and anaesthetists, all within the Ksh75,000 limit.
Beyond basic treatment, this plan includes coverage for chronic and pre-existing conditions (up to Ksh37,500), maternity benefits (Ksh20,000 for normal delivery), and COVID-19 hospitalisation (Ksh37,500 in government hospitals). Emergency road evacuation by ambulance is covered up to Ksh15,000, while radiology services, including CT scans and ultrasound, are available with a Ksh20,000 limit. Psychiatric care is also included for Ksh18,750 within the chronic benefits.
The plan even offers benefits like Ksh40,000 for last expenses, Ksh5,000 for fire damage, and Ksh5,000 for cancer cash benefits. All surgical expenses, inpatient physiotherapy, accidental dental care, eye treatments, and post-hospitalisation care are included within the applicable benefit limits.
Flexible Coverage Options with BYM
Britam’s Bima Ya Mwananchi plan provides five coverage options to cater to different needs. Whether you’re an individual or a family, there is flexibility to upgrade or scale down depending on your budget. The various tiers allow families to increase coverage for maternity, outpatient services, and other essential benefits.
For larger families or those requiring enhanced protection, the higher-tier plans offer increased maternity cover (up to Ksh30,000 for normal delivery), while the caesarean section coverage remains consistent at Ksh45,000 across all options. Additional family members can be added for a fee of Ksh2,400 to Ksh5,000 per person, depending on the coverage tier chosen.
Optional Outpatient Cover for Enhanced Protection
Britam offers three outpatient options that add dental, optical, and chronic care benefits to your cover. Option 1, priced at Ksh30,000, provides Ksh3,000 for dental and optical care per person, chronic condition coverage up to Ksh15,000, and additional services like maternity care and immunisations for children under 1.5 years.
As you progress to Option 2 (Ksh50,000) and Option 3 (Ksh75,000), the coverage limits for dental, optical, and chronic care increase. Option 3, for instance, provides Ksh7,000 each for dental and optical services, and Ksh37,500 for chronic care. These outpatient benefits are critical for anyone seeking more comprehensive protection that goes beyond inpatient care.
Coverage for Kenyan Residents and Exclusions
The BYM plan is available to Kenyan residents aged 18 to 65 at the time of entry. Annual renewals are available until the age of 70. Dependents such as spouses (18-65 years old) and children (38 weeks to 18 years old) can also be covered, with children aged 18-24 eligible if they are in school or college.
However, some exclusions apply. These include:
- Expenses arising from illegal activities
- Cosmetic treatments and obesity-related procedures
- Infertility treatments and nutritional supplements
- Dental braces and certain hearing aids or contact lenses
Waiting periods are also applied for specific services, such as a one-month waiting period for general illnesses, maternity, and chronic conditions.
How to Apply for BYM Coverage Through WhatsApp
The process of applying for the Bima Ya Mwananchi plan has been simplified for ease of access. Britam allows potential customers to apply directly via WhatsApp, removing the hassle of paperwork and in-person visits. Here’s how you can get started:
- Save 0705 100 100 to your contacts and send “Hi” on WhatsApp.
- You’ll receive a prompt asking you to select “Invest with Britam.”
- Provide your national ID number and follow the prompts for additional personal information, including your KRA PIN and residential address.
- After accepting the terms and conditions, you’ll receive a one-time password (OTP) for verification.
- Complete the process by selecting your coverage option and paying your premium via M-Pesa.
This simple, 10-minute process allows you to secure health cover from the comfort of your home.
Alternative Access Channels
In addition to WhatsApp, Britam offers several other channels for signing up and managing your insurance:
- MyBritam Mobile App: Downloadable from Google Play and the Apple App Store, offering access to all Britam services.
- USSD Code: Dial *778# from a Safaricom line for quick access without needing an internet connection.
- Customer Portal: Visit Britam Customer Portal for online registration.
- Phone and WhatsApp Support: Call or message 0705 100 100 for customer assistance.
Claims and Premium Payment Process
Once your cover is activated, policyholders can submit claims through the MyBritam app or email if treatment occurs at non-network facilities. For in-network treatments, simply present your membership card at the hospital or clinic.
Premium payments are renewed annually, with the option for instalment payments being explored for future renewals.
