DHML Unveils Ambitious Plans for Health Insurance Coverage for Military Retirees (Photos)
Aysha S. Rabo
Defence Health Maintenance Limited (DHML) has revealed its groundbreaking initiative to expand health insurance coverage for military retirees. Surgeon Rear Admiral (rtd) AB Afolayan, the Managing Director/CEO of DHML, made the announcement during the 11th DHML Stakeholders Meeting with Military Health Care Providers held at the Scorpion Officers Mess in Abuja.
In his address, Afolayan outlined the organisation’s commitment to improving the healthcare provisions for retired military personnel. “I wish to acknowledge the unique challenges faced by veterans, especially in accessing comprehensive healthcare after their service, and to assure that this will soon become a thing of the past,” he stated.
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He further explained that the DHML’s plan involves extending health insurance coverage to cater to the specific needs of military retirees, who often face health issues without the support structure of military units. Afolayan emphasised that the expansion move aims to address the growing healthcare needs of retirees, particularly those with chronic medical conditions.
“To achieve this ambitious goal, DHML intends to collaborate closely with the Veteran’s Departments of the Defence Headquarters and Services Headquarters,” he explains, stressing the importance of partnerships and increased awareness campaigns to ensure that military retirees are informed about the expanded coverage.
Afolayan, a retired Rear Admiral, highlighted DHML’s efforts to enhance its operational reach, with plans to establish permanent state offices in Osun, Benue, Borno, and Kogi states. Additionally, the organization will open a second DHML office in Lagos, slated to commence full operations in January 2024. The FCT DHML office is expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2024, focusing solely on serving Healthcare Facilities (HCFs) in the FCT.
“These initiatives as crucial for better coverage, increased efficiency, and improved services to enrolees. It is all about the DHML’s goal to provide accessible and quality healthcare services to all armed forces personnel, both serving and retired.”
Afolayan also revealed plans to modernise DHML’s Integrated Health Management System (IHMS). The comprehensive update of IHMS aims to transition claims adjudication to an entirely electronic process. Training and retraining of appropriate healthcare provider staff are ongoing to ensure a seamless and error-free implementation of the electronic system.
While addressing constraints in the administration of health insurance, particularly issues of exclusions and co-payments, Afolayan highlighted DHML’s deliberate policy to provide total healthcare to military veterans. He emphasised that no veteran with health issues has ever been turned away or denied access to healthcare within the organisation.
The MD/CEO assured stakeholders that DHML’s proactive approach to veterans’ healthcare is informed by the realities faced by retirees, such as their detachment from military units and the prevalence of chronic medical conditions in older age.
Present at the stakeholders meeting are all medical outfits providing services to the military.
DHML Unveils Ambitious Plans for Health Insurance Coverage for Military Retirees (Photos)