Health insurance remains one of the most essential safety nets for individuals and families, especially given the rising costs of medical care in Kenya. A single hospital stay can run into hundreds of thousands of shillings, making it clear why health coverage is critical. But the cost of insurance can often deter many from signing up. That’s where Britam’s Bima Ya Mwananchi (BYM) plan comes in, offering a more affordable entry-level health cover option starting at just Ksh4,600 annually, or Ksh383 per month – about the cost of two fast-food meals.
What sets this plan apart is its accessibility. Through WhatsApp, Britam has eliminated the need for paperwork, long queues, and office visits. With just a few clicks on your phone, you can sign up for health insurance coverage. This innovative, mobile-first approach is part of Britam’s drive to expand insurance coverage, especially for underserved communities across Kenya and Africa.
The benefits of Ksh383 a month
For just Ksh4,600 a year, Britam’s entry-level BYM plan, Option 1, offers a significant level of coverage. This includes a total shared benefit of Ksh75,000 for inpatient care, providing medical treatment at hospitals for illnesses and injuries. It covers a wide range of medical expenses, including hospital drugs, surgery, ICU/HDU charges, theatre costs, and doctors’ fees for physicians, surgeons, and anaesthetists.
But the cover doesn’t end there. Option 1 includes important provisions for chronic and pre-existing conditions (with a waiting period), maternity cover for both normal delivery (Ksh20,000) and caesarean section (Ksh45,000), as well as COVID-19-related hospitalisation (Ksh37,500 in approved government hospitals). It also covers ambulance evacuation up to Ksh15,000 for accident-related cases, radiology services like CT scans and ultrasounds (up to Ksh20,000 per year), and psychiatric care (Ksh18,750 within the chronic limit).
Additional benefits include a Ksh5,000 fire cashback, a Ksh5,000 cancer cash benefit, and Ksh40,000 for funeral expenses. All surgical expenses, physiotherapy, and post-hospitalisation care are also covered, with hospital accommodation provided subject to National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) or Social Health Insurance (SHA) benefits.
Tailored coverage with five options
Britam offers five different coverage options under the BYM plan, allowing you to scale your health cover according to your family’s needs and budget. While the entry-level option provides essential coverage, higher tiers offer more extensive benefits, including increased maternity cover, higher coverage limits for chronic conditions, and additional benefits for outpatient care.
For families needing more comprehensive protection, Britam’s BYM plan can be expanded with higher coverage tiers offering greater benefits. These tiers increase benefits for chronic conditions, maternity, and other essential services. The highest tiers provide Ksh30,000 for normal delivery, while the caesarean section cover remains at Ksh45,000 across all options.
Optional outpatient cover for additional protection
In addition to the basic inpatient cover, Britam offers optional outpatient coverage at three levels, each increasing the extent of benefits available. Outpatient options cover services such as dental and optical care, treatment for chronic conditions, psychiatric care, and physiotherapy.
- Option 1 provides a Ksh30,000 limit for outpatient care, including dental and optical services (Ksh3,000 each), chronic conditions (Ksh15,000), and psychiatric care (Ksh7,500).
- Option 2, at Ksh50,000 coverage, raises limits for dental and optical care to Ksh5,000 each, and chronic conditions to Ksh25,000, while maintaining a Ksh20,000 radiology cap.
- Option 3 provides Ksh75,000 coverage, with higher limits for dental, optical, and chronic conditions, as well as increased psychiatric care coverage (Ksh18,750).
Each outpatient option also includes physiotherapy, vaccinations, family planning, and annual health check-ups, with some services like immunisation and pre-natal care included in the outpatient limits.
Eligibility and exclusions
The BYM plan is available to Kenyan residents aged 18 to 65. Spouses can also be included in the plan, and children from ages 38 weeks to 18 years are automatically eligible. For children aged 18-24, inclusion is only available if they are enrolled in school or college.
However, there are some exclusions to the policy, including treatments for cosmetic procedures, expenses recoverable under other insurance, and treatments for infertility or hormonal replacement therapy. Other exclusions include dental braces, hearing aids, and nutritional supplements.
How to apply for BYM via WhatsApp
Britam has simplified the sign-up process by allowing you to complete the entire application process through WhatsApp, making it incredibly easy for anyone to apply.
To get started:
- Save the number 0705 100 100 on your phone.
- Send a “Hi” message to start the conversation.
- Select “Invest with Britam” from the available menu options.
- Enter your National ID and provide additional personal information, including your KRA PIN, residential address, and occupation.
- Accept the terms and conditions.
- Complete the registration by entering the OTP sent to your phone to verify your identity.
- Pay the first premium via M-Pesa using the paybill number 4157051, and your account will be activated.
The entire process can be completed in under 10 minutes.
Other ways to access Britam’s health cover
While WhatsApp provides the easiest sign-up method, Britam offers other access points for customers who prefer different platforms. These include:
- The MyBritam mobile app, available on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
- A USSD code (*778#), accessible for those without a smartphone or internet connection.
- Online customer portal: Visit Britam’s website at customerconnect.britam.com to register and access services.
Premium payments and claims process
Premiums for the BYM plan are payable annually, with renewals due at the start of each policy year. Britam is also exploring instalment payment options for policy renewals.
For claims, policyholders can visit any of Britam’s approved healthcare providers across Kenya, present their membership card, and ensure that treatment falls within the covered benefits. Claims can also be submitted via the MyBritam app or email for reimbursements if treatment was provided outside the network.
For emergencies, Britam offers 24-hour support to help with pre-authorisation and direct hospital billing.
