Congratulations on taking over as the new CEO of Nextcare. What is your new strategy for the company?

I joined Nextcare in April 2024, where we are developing our strategies in collaboration with Allianz Group to meet the needs of each market. Our goal is to look to the future by enhancing the company’s growth and increasing our customer base, in addition to providing the best solutions and services and building bridges of trust and cooperation with medical service providers.

Do you think the insurance sector in Lebanon has overcome the financial and economic crisis?

Since the 2019 financial crisis, we have faced many challenges in the pricing process, whether in insurance policy prices or in the cost of medical care and hospitalization, due to several factors, most notably the difference in dollar prices. I believe that 2025 will be a strategic turning point to restore balance between insurance companies and healthcare providers in a way that satisfies everyone. We at NextCare intend to negotiate new prices with hospitals in 2025 and we notice a great understanding in this context.

What challenges do you face with the ongoing war in Lebanon?

In times of war and uncertainty, hospital claims usually decline, as people avoid going to hospitals unless absolutely necessary, due to instability and fear of moving. This situation is similar to what we witnessed during the Corona pandemic, where claims declined significantly due to movement restrictions and fear of infection.

On the other hand, insurance companies are carefully monitoring the current situation, and as healthcare providers, our growth is directly linked to two main factors: first, the growth of the hospital insurance portfolio in the companies we deal with, and second, the inclusion of more insurance companies in our portfolio.

What other entities do you serve?

In addition to the insurance companies that represent the largest part of our portfolio, we provide our services to a number of mutual funds and unions, and we are keen to expand to meet the diverse needs of our customers.

What are the most prominent digital services you provide to your clients?

Technology is an essential element in managing our business. For example, all approvals are issued to insured persons electronically, and we receive invoices and enter them into the system, which corrects the largest number of them before sending them to the insurance company. All of this helps us save time and ensure smooth workflow. We are committed to constantly developing our technological system to improve performance and reduce administrative costs.

Insured persons benefit from the Lumi application, which acts as a link between Nextcare and the insurance companies we cooperate with, and provides many insurance and medical services. Among these services:

• Insurance Services: Insureds can obtain their insurance cards electronically by downloading the application, which reduces reliance on plastic cards. They can also obtain hospital approvals electronically by photographing the doctor’s report and uploading it to the application.

• Payment of compensation: Insureds who deal with uncooperative hospitals or laboratories can submit claims for compensation by photographing invoices and uploading them to the application.

• Search for healthcare providers: The application provides a search service for the nearest healthcare providers.
  On the medical side, the application includes features such as Symptom Checker, an FDA-approved program that helps users understand their symptoms. If the program notices serious symptoms, it alerts the user to the need to consult a doctor.

There is also a Dr. Chat feature, where the insured can ask any medical question and get a quick answer from a specialist doctor. We are also considering adding the Teleconsultation service in Lebanon soon, although it is currently approved in Dubai.

What is your plan for expansion?

The company has great ambitions for the future, and future projects will certainly exceed the scope of the region, all aiming to serve the faithful and our partners.