Tech-enabled insurance cover sees surge in access to in-patient care

 

About one million people can now access in-patient health cover that pays out Sh1,000 for each night they spend in an admission facility.

The tech insurance cover targets everyday earners who cannot access alternative products offered by big players in the private health insurance industry.

First piloted in January 2024 in partnership with M-Kopa, the insurance product by Turaco provides flexible support for hospital stays.

Customers who purchase an M-Kopa-branded smartphone automatically receive 12 months of free inpatient health coverage in public and private hospitals.

Martin Kingori, M-Kopa’s General Manager, said integrating insurance into M-Kopa’s smartphones was motivated by a mission of delivering more than just a phone.

“We understand that traditional insurance models often fail to serve our customers with high premiums, complex processes, and delayed payouts,” said Mr Kingori.

According to him, by making insurance both accessible and affordable, “We are helping our customers build resilience against financial setbacks, keeping their progress on track.”

His sentiments were echoed by Turaco Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder Ted Pantone, who noted that without the insurance, 60 per cent of daily earners would have to use savings or sell an asset if hospitalised and another 25 per cent would have to borrow money to cater for their treatment expenses.

Pantone said that in the last six years, Turaco has insured over 3.5 million people by working with partners like M-KOPA to create seamless, tech-enabled solutions.

“From instant policy activation to fast claims payouts, we’ve focused on simplifying access and usage of insurance coverage, making it a vital financial safety net for our customers,” he said.

He also said that this milestone is evidence of the transformative impact that strategic partnerships can achieve.

“By sharing a vision for financial inclusion and community empowerment, we seek to demonstrate how innovation and collaboration can drive meaningful, scalable change,” he said.