Health Insurance companies in Cameroon have slowly increased over the years, and so has the improvement in the health system. Though the doctor-to-patient ratio in Cameroon has improved marginally, the health insurance milieu in Cameroon remains abysmal. Few Cameroonians can afford insurance, let alone access to healthcare.
It must be noted that the government of Cameroon does not have public-funded health or medical insurance schemes. Talks of this insurance scheme being founded have been in the pipeline for many years.
This comprehensive article enumerates the insurance companies in Cameroon and what you need to know about healthcare in Cameroon.
What is Health Insurance?
Health insurance covers part or the entire risk of a person incurring medical expenses. Hence, spreading the risk over a large number of persons.
An insurer can develop a routine finance structure by estimating the overall risk of health care and health system expenses over the risk pool. This structure can be a monthly premium or payroll tax to provide the money to pay for the health care benefits specified in the insurance agreement.
The benefit is administered by a central organization such as a government agency, not-for-profit entity, or private business.
Why do you need Health Insurance in Cameroon?
You need Health insurance for:
- Outpatient care
- Treatment in the hospital for inpatient care
- Prenatal and Postnatal Care: The care before and after your baby is born
- Trips to the emergency room.
- Mental health and substance use disorder services:
- Your prescription meds or drugs.
- Pediatric services: This includes dental care and vision care for kids
- Services and devices to help you recover if you are injured or have a disability or chronic condition.
- Your laboratory tests
- Preventive services include counseling, screenings, and vaccines to keep you healthy.
- International treatment for medical cases that are not treatable in Cameroon
List of 10 Best Medical or Health Insurance Companies in Cameroon
There are ten (10) medical or health insurance companies in Cameroon. These entities are listed in the table below:
Types of Health Insurance Plans in Cameroon
- Inpatient cover
- Low-cost covers
- Outpatient cover
- Medium and high-cost covers
- Maternity cover
Conditions Excluded from Health Insurance Policies in Cameroon
Your health insurance may have some exclusions and limitations. Plans vary so much that it is hard to say precisely what limits and exclusions might be in yours.
To ensure you know the ins and outs of your health policy, you need to read your SPD or summary plan description with all the policy rules, limits, and bylaws. You can get this document from your insurer.
Generally, health insurance plans can limit coverage for a pre-existing condition only for a specific time, usually no more than twelve months. Many plans have a three-month waiting period before all benefits kick in.
Health insurance in Cameroon: Common Vocabulary
Inpatient Cover:
Health insurance plans require you to be formally admitted into a hospital for a stay for a service to be considered inpatient.
Outpatient Cover:
Insurance cover an individual (patient) who receives health care services (such as surgery) on an outpatient basis, meaning they do not stay overnight in a hospital or inpatient facility
Insurance Coverage:
It is the amount of risk or liability covered for an individual or entity through insurance services.
Beneficiary:
In life insurance, the beneficiary is the person or entity entitled to receive the claim amount and other benefits upon the benefactor's death or on the policy's maturity.
Insurance policy:
It is a document detailing the terms and conditions of a contract of insurance.
Health insurance premium:
A monthly fee is paid to an insurance company or health plan to provide health coverage.
Indemnity plans:
These plans allow you to direct your health care and visit almost any doctor or hospital you like. The insurance company then pays a set portion of your total charges. Indemnity plans are also referred to as "fee-for-service" plans.
Health insurance waiver:
When signed, it is a document that allows you to opt-out of a health insurance plan you offer by making a formal request.
Suggested: Best Insurance Companies in Cameroon