The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) paid GH¢180 million to various healthcare providers across the nation last Friday, primarily for claims received and approved up to December 2023.
This is in accordance with the authority’s duty as a payer of healthcare services in Ghana for medical conditions specified in the NHIS Benefit Package, which covers more than 95% of sickness conditions, according to a press statement.
Signed by NHIA’s Acting Chief Executive, Dr Dacosta Aboagye, it stated that the package was supported by over 550 formulations on the NHIS Medicines list to treat all diseases covered by the scheme, and that the scheme’s management wishes to assure the public of its commitment to providing quality healthcare to all of its members.
“With this payment, the NHIS is on track and not in arrears as it stays within the accepted 90-day window for the payment of vetted claims.”
According to the statement, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is one of the primary social intervention policies established by an Act of Parliament 650 (Act 650, 2003), as amended in 2012 by Act 852.
It was stated that healthcare providers are awarded credentials by the NHIA to provide services to NHIS members and are bound by an agreement to comply with the NHIS Medicines List and Service Tariff, failing to which may result in sanctions.
As a result of recent economic conditions, the NHIA, in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service, the Christian Health Association of Ghana, and other stakeholders, is completely examining the NHIS Medicines Tariffs to determine suitable revisions.
As another step towards eliminating illegal fees and extortions levied against vulnerable NHIS members at some healthcare facilities, the NHIA and key stakeholders have agreed to increase public education about the scheme and its benefit package, promote NHIS members’ entitlements, and conduct more community engagements to deepen understanding, buy-in, and ownership of the scheme.
“We entreat all NHIS members to report any incidents of illegal charges or extortions to your local NHIS District Office, the call centre on 6447 (MTN &Vodafone), or via our official social media handles (nhisghana) for redress”
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