Britam Connect has unveiled Bima ya Wafanyikazi, a comprehensive medical insurance cover targeting domestic and informal workers.
The medical cover, underwritten by Britam and distributed by Minet Kenya Insurance Brokers, starts from KSh336 per month and offers inpatient, outpatient, maternity, dental, optical and last expense benefits.
The cover is available to individual domestic workers, employers and registered domestic worker associations.
Cover Targets Millions of Workers Without Medical Protection
According to Britam, domestic and informal workers play a critical role in Kenya’s economy by providing childcare, elderly care, housekeeping, security, meal preparation and support services in hospitals and other institutions.
The company cited International Labour Organization (ILO) data showing that more than 90% of domestic workers lack any form of medical insurance.
Britam Connect said the new product was developed to bridge that protection gap by offering affordable healthcare cover tailored to workers who often operate under informal or semi-formal employment arrangements without employer-sponsored medical insurance.
The insurer noted that the policy can be purchased as an optional rider under existing medical schemes or as a standalone group product for registered domestic worker associations.
It is renewable annually, with premiums payable in full and no minimum group size required.
Britam Connect Chief Executive Officer and Principal Officer Evah Kimani said the product responds to the everyday realities facing domestic and informal workers.
“For many domestic and informal workers, there is very little room for life’s disruptions. An illness, injury or even a few days away from work can quickly place pressure on household finances. Bima Ya Wafanyikazi is anchored on holistic healthcare, bringing together outpatient and inpatient care, maternity, dental and optical benefits, as well as annual health check-ups, so workers can seek care earlier, stay healthier and face fewer financial shocks when illness strikes,” she said.
Multiple Benefit Options for Individuals and Families
Bima ya Wafanyikazi provides four inpatient benefit options with annual limits of KSh100,000, KSh200,000, KSh300,000 and KSh500,000.
The cover includes benefits for hospitalization, chronic and pre-existing conditions, psychiatric care, maternity, congenital conditions, ambulance services, radiology, dental treatment, optical care and a Sh50,000 last expense benefit across all inpatient plans.
Under the highest option, members can access up to KSh500,000 in inpatient benefits, with maternity cover of KSh50,000, Cesarean section benefits of KSh70,000, congenital treatment worth KSh125,000, radiology benefits of KSh30,000, and up to KSh125,000 each for dental and optical treatment.
Members can also choose outpatient cover with annual limits of KSh20,000, KSh50,000 or KSh65,000. Family packages cater for the member, spouse and up to three dependants, with an option to add more dependants at an additional premium.
The cover starts at KSh4,026 annually for an individual under the Sh100,000 inpatient option, while the family package begins at Sh8,838. Outpatient-only plans start at KSh10,328 for individuals.
Waiting Periods and Policy Exclusions
The insurer said members will serve a one-month waiting period for illnesses and death arising from natural causes, while treatment for accidental injuries is covered from the policy commencement date.
Maternity and pregnancy-related treatment attract a 10-month waiting period, while chronic and pre-existing conditions are also subject to a 10-month waiting period. Most non-accidental surgeries have a one-year waiting period, although emergency abdominal surgery, acute appendicitis and acute cholecystitis procedures are exempt.
The policy excludes family planning, infertility treatment, cosmetic surgery, beauty therapy, nutritional supplements, hearing aids, contact lenses, braces, dental scaling and polishing, treatment by herbalists and other non-medical practitioners, alcohol- and drug-related conditions, and medical expenses recoverable under the Social Health Authority (SHA), WIBA, employer liability cover or other national schemes.
Minet Kenya Chief Executive Officer Sammy Muthui said the partnership combines the firm’s distribution network with Britam Connect’s expertise in inclusive insurance to address a longstanding healthcare protection gap.
“Insurance should solve real problems. We spent a great deal of time listening to our customers and understanding their evolving needs. One message came through clearly: there is a significant gap in healthcare protection for Kenya’s informal workforce, and it is a gap that demands innovative solutions. Together with Britam, we have combined our strengths to create a solution that will make a meaningful difference for thousands of Kenyan workers and their families,” he said.
To get started with Bima ya Wafanyikazi, contact Minet Insurance Brokers on 0719 044 000 or through Email: [email protected]
