NBA Issues Guidelines For the Selection of the 1000 beneficiaries of the NBA-NHIS Pilot Scheme

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has released guidelines for selecting lawyers that will benefit from the NBA National Health Insurance Pilot Scheme.

In a statement signed by its National Welfare Secretary, Kunle Edun, NBA says the Scheme seeks to provide free health insurance to one thousand (1000) financial members of the Association, for a period of one year, as a prelude to the subsequent enrolment of all members of the Association into the NHIS at special concessionary rates.

Edun said each Branch of the Association is expected to nominate four (4) members, who meet the eligibility criteria prescribed by the NBA, to participate in the Pilot Scheme out of which two (2) shall be young lawyers between 1-7 years post call (and shall not be over 30 years of age) and two (2) shall be senior lawyers who are 60 years of age and above.

He added that only those who have paid their Bar Practicing Fees and Branch Dues are eligible. Other criteria are an acknowledgment by branch ad members and inability to afford health insurance, evidence of good standing with the Association, and furnishing blood group and genotype to one’s branch.

He said Branches with membership strength of 500 and above are entitled to nominate additional two beneficiaries. Branch with 1000 members will be entitled to additional four while Branch with 1500 members will be entitled to 6 more beneficiaries

The deadline for submission of nominees is the 4th of May, 2021 and the list is to be sent to Ezekiel David at [email protected].

“The following will result in the immediate disqualification of a nominated beneficiary
(a) Failure by the member to meet the eligibility criteria specified above;
(b) Failure by the Branch Selection Committee to submit the branch nominee submission form on or before the stipulated deadline; and
(c) Failure by the Branch Selection Committee to properly execute the branch nominee submission form.

“In the event of a disqualification as a result of the occurrence of any or all of the aforementioned events, the affected Branch shall lose the opportunity of selecting any other beneficiary and the National Secretariat shall nominate a beneficiary to fill the resultant vacancy.” the statement reads in part

In another development, Akpata has announced the conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding with Leadway Assurance which enhances the insurance products and benefits for all our financial members.

He said, “Under this new arrangement, all lawyers who paid their BPF on or before 31st March can (at no extra cost to them) have access to the following:

1. N2mn as Life Insurance cover (this is a 100% increase from what used to be N1mn);

2. N1mn for any ailment that qualifies as Critical Illness under the policy (with a further N1mn payable if the member unfortunately passes);

3. N1mn for Accidental Permanent Disability (with a further N1mn if the member unfortunately passes);

4. N60,000 to cover any medical expenses related to accidents; and

5. Free telemedicine access for lawyers with medical doctors approved by Leadway.

“We have also agreed to a more simplified process of making claims under the policy.

“The negotiations that got us to this stage have been tough and long-drawn but I am pleased that we finally have this agreement in place and that it will kick off immediately.

“As you may be aware, the foregoing is different from the Medical Health Insurance Scheme that we are currently negotiating with the NHIS and I will very shortly be providing you with preliminary details of the NBA-NHIS Pilot Scheme via a separate post.

“I remain grateful for your continued support and for your effective management of our branches and I encourage you all to ensure that our members are able to access these and others welfare-oriented programs that we are putting in place for their benefit.”