This archive report was first published on 8 October 2019.
On October 8, 2019, ICEA Lion Group launched a cancer medical cover to help Kenyans cope with the increasing costs of cancer treatment.
The cover, available to Kenyans between the ages of 18 and 59, offers a sum insured range of between Ksh. 1 million and a maximum of Ksh. 15 million.
According to the firm's CEO, Justus Mutiga, a patient under their cover who is diagnosed with cancer will receive 10 percent of the sum insured.
“Cancer is one of the highest causes of death in Kenya today with the financial burden that comes with diagnosis and treatment too massive to bear…most families are forced to abandon their dreams, leave bills unpaid or sell off their assets to meet cancer-related expenses and liabilities,” he said.
Other insurance companies, including HF Group, Madison, Britam, and UAP, have also included cancer in the list of chronic ailments under insurance.
The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) enables patients to access treatment such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, and diagnostic tests like MRIs and CT scans.
Under the ICEA Lion Group cancer cover, additional payouts will be made for chemotherapy, radiotherapy, non-diagnostic surgery, cases of relapse, or if the patient goes into palliative care.
“We noticed that in spite of there being other interventions in society to support cancer patients, there still exists a need for more financial support,” said George Nyakundi, the GM ICEA Lion Group.
Premiums depend on age, gender, lifestyle (smoker or non-smoker), policy term, and health status. Those willing to take up cover for more than Ksh. 5 million will be subjected to medical tests.
