Industry News- Kenyan health care takes a step forward

Kenyan health care is about to take another leap forward with the addition of another 100,000 smart cards to join the MediSmart project in Kenya.

Smart Applications International, a Kenyan health care solutions provider is increasing the MediSmart project by an additional 100,000 cards.

The MediSmart card is a contactless smart card that contains the member’s complete health care records in electronic format including personal and biometric information, emergency contact information, medical history, and payment options.

(Image above: Internals of a contactless smart chip card)

Currently there are over 1,000 points of service at pharmacies, doctors and hospitals across Kenya, and 150,000 issued card holders. There is a planned expansion of an additional 500 points of service where patients can be electronically authenticated, benefits verified and claims processed through a smooth electronic process.

According to Secure ID News, Kenya has a particular problem with fraudulent claims in health care. It is estimated that 35% of the claims are fraudulent and this MediSmart card solution addresses fraud head on by enabling the introduction and effective management of funding in the health care sector.

The program will also help eliminate over-expenditure in line with benefit balances, over servicing such as procedures that are carried out when they are not necessary, over prescribing, such as seen in excessive pharmacy prescriptions,
non-compliance with price guidelines and will promote ethical drug substitution and fair pricing with generics bought in bulk.