The verdict in three sentences
A member and provider portal for a health mutual with 25,000 members costs 20 to 55 million FCFA in 2026, about 30,500 to 83,850 EUR, depending on how deeply it integrates with the existing core administration system. The provider area, which lets clinics and pharmacies check eligibility and request pre-authorisation online, is the module that generates the largest savings. Plan for 5 to 7 months, including a 4 to 6 week pilot with around ten providers.
Budget breakdown: six modules, a 30,500 to 83,850 EUR envelope
Cost depends less on the number of screens than on three factors: the quality of the core system API, the number of network providers to connect and the security level required for health data. Here is a typical breakdown, as a 2026 order of magnitude.
| Module | Scope | 2026 range (EUR) | FCFA equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scoping and journeys | Workshops with members, claims staff, providers, wireframes | 2,285 - 4,575 | 1.5 M - 3 M |
| Member area (web and mobile) | Cover, dependants, care history, claim tracking | 7,620 - 21,340 | 5 M - 14 M |
| Provider area | Eligibility check, pre-authorisation request, invoice upload | 7,620 - 19,820 | 5 M - 13 M |
| Digital card | Member card with QR code verifiable offline | 2,285 - 6,100 | 1.5 M - 4 M |
| Core system integration | Sync of members, benefits, limits, statements | 6,100 - 18,295 | 4 M - 12 M |
| Contribution payments | Direct debit, card, bank transfer, automated reminders | 2,285 - 6,100 | 1.5 M - 4 M |
| Security, hosting, QA | Encryption, audit logs, penetration tests, acceptance | 2,285 - 7,620 | 1.5 M - 5 M |
| Total | 30,490 - 83,850 | 20 M - 55 M |
Add a recurring budget of about 610 to 1,830 EUR per month (400,000 to 1.2 million FCFA) for secure hosting, monitoring and corrective maintenance. Health data is special category data under UK GDPR: a data protection impact assessment and a clear privacy notice must be ready before launch.
What digitisation changes in the numbers
The portal pays for itself through lower processing costs and fewer abuses. The values below are estimates observed at health mutuals and insurers, to be recalculated with your own volumes.
| Indicator | Before (paper) | With portal | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-authorisation turnaround | 48 to 72 h | 15 to 30 min | Roughly 100 times faster |
| Average reimbursement time | 30 to 45 days | 7 to 10 days | -75% |
| Processing cost per claim | 900 FCFA (1.37 EUR) | 250 FCFA (0.38 EUR) | -72% |
| Contribution collection rate | 78% | 85 to 90% | +7 to +12 points |
| Member cards used fraudulently | 2 to 4% of claims | under 0.5% | QR and photo check |
| Calls to member services | 3,000 per month | 1,200 per month | -60% |
Timeline and watch-outs over 5 to 7 months
| Phase | Duration | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| Scoping and core system audit | 3 to 4 weeks | Data map, API specification |
| Design and prototyping | 3 to 4 weeks | Journeys tested with 15 members and 5 providers |
| Member area and card build | 6 to 8 weeks | Web and mobile version, QR card |
| Provider area build | 6 to 8 weeks | Eligibility, pre-authorisations, invoices |
| Pilot | 4 to 6 weeks | 10 providers and 1,000 members |
| Full roll-out | 3 to 4 weeks | Provider training, activation campaign |
The main risk is provider adoption. Prepare a welcome kit, a 45 minute training session per practice and a dedicated support line for the first three months. On the member side, a lightweight app that runs on entry-level phones and slow connections matters more than advanced features.
Mini case study
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Helen, chief executive of a health mutual in London, manages 25,000 members and about 4,000 claims a month. Her project is priced at 38 million FCFA, about 57,930 EUR. Processing cost per claim drops from 900 to 250 FCFA, so 4,000 x 650 = 2.6 million FCFA saved per month (about 3,960 EUR). Automated contribution collection adds 2 points of collection rate on 25,000 members at 6,000 FCFA per month, so 500 x 6,000 = 3 million FCFA per month (about 4,575 EUR). With 5.6 million FCFA of monthly gains, payback arrives around month 7 after full roll-out, excluding recurring costs.
FAQ
Can we keep our current core system?
Yes in about 80% of cases, as long as it exposes an API or a readable database. If not, a scheduled file exchange layer costs 3 to 6 million FCFA more (4,575 to 9,150 EUR) and adds 3 to 4 weeks.
Is a native mobile app essential?
No, an installable web app covers most members and costs 30 to 40% less. Native iOS and Android apps add 6 to 12 million FCFA (9,150 to 18,295 EUR) plus yearly store fees.
How do you verify a digital card offline?
The QR code carries a digital signature that the provider app can verify, with an expiry date. Eligibility data refreshes as soon as the connection returns, usually every 24 hours.
Which payment methods should we offer for contributions?
Direct debit covers most individual members, while bank transfer remains the norm for employer schemes. Card payments typically cost 1 to 2% per transaction depending on the acquiring contract.
How many providers should we connect at launch?
Start with the 10 to 20 practices that handle 60 to 70% of claims. The rest of the network follows in two waves over 3 months.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of members, network providers and your core administration system, and we will deliver a per-module estimate and a roll-out plan. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
