Avon HMO Provider Incentive Programme Celebrates Winning Hospitals

Leading Health Maintenance Organisation, Avon Healthcare Limited (Avon HMO) has rewarded three hospitals as part of its ongoing Provider Incentive Programme. Three Lagos-based hospitals, National Air Force Hospital (Ikeja), Med-In Specialist Hospital (Ogudu) and Bee Hess Hospital (Akowonjo) and their HMO Officers received diesel supply and plasma TVs.

The Avon HMO Provider Incentive Programme rewards hospitals and HMO Officers who are timely, consistent and accurate in submitting utilisation data on primary care as well as secondary and tertiary care services. Mrs. Adesimbo Ukiri, MD/CEO of Avon HMO, described this incentive as a key step taken by Avon HMO to advance the collection, availability and use of robust medical utilisation data. “In Nigeria, we are seeing an increase in chronic diseases and escalating healthcare costs. If HMOs are to offer health plans that truly cater to the current and future needs of our people, we need comprehensive data to guide our product development initiatives” Mrs. Ukiri added “Our hospitals are vital as they hold this data and we are extremely encouraged by the response shown by all those who participated”.

Launched in 2015, the Provider Incentive Programme is part of the company’s vision to set new standards and drive the industry forward. Explaining further, Ukiri said “In most sectors, decisions are guided by rigorous data analyses and the insights gained from them. The managed care sector in Nigeria should not be different.” ”The data being collected will identify and track disease prevalence and patterns, especially at primary care levels and inform our disease prevention and wellness initiatives.” Ukiri noted that this approach highlights why managed care organisations such as Avon HMO provide more than just health insurance. “Ultimately this will help achieve better patient experience, minimise disease re-occurrence and reduce re-admission rates for the same diagnosis.”

Dr. Adebanjo Oni, Head, Provider Services, Avon HMO said he hoped that the efforts of Avon HMO will kick start a transformation in the HMO industry and lead to increased awareness on the importance of maintaining accurate and robust medical data.

Dr. Olugbenga Awosika, Medical Director, Med-In Specialist Hospital, Ogudu, Lagos, one of the rewarded hospitals, stated that one reason why his hospital is in partnership with Avon HMO is because “Avon is innovative and purpose driven”. “No other HMO shows as much interest in the use of data as Avon HMO and this speaks volumes about their passion for quality healthcare delivery.” “I was not in support of HMOs at inception as several gave false expectations, but Avon HMO has convinced me beyond reasonable doubt that something good is about to happen in the health insurance sector. As a matter of fact, this is the first time our hospital is being recognised. Avon HMO is different.” Dr Awosika noted.

Similarly, Ms. Madu Veronica, Administrative and HMO Officer, Bee Hess Hospital Akowonjo, Lagos, expressed satisfaction at Avon HMO’s prompt response to complaints and enquiries which enhance their quality service delivery. Madu stated “Avon responds quickly because their customer service can be reached at any time, even at midnight. Avon HMO is really good and cannot be compared with any other HMO in Nigeria.”

In concluding, Mrs Ukiri said ‘This ongoing programme is ultimately about partnerships and collaboration. Our hospitals ultimately help us in fulfilling our mission which is to empower people to live healthier, fuller lives”.