Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Ghanaian Times
Published on 2024-03-28 07:39:37
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) recently announced that it made payments totaling GH¢180 million to healthcare providers across the country. These payments were mainly for claims that had been submitted and vetted up to December 2023. The NHIA fulfills its role as a payer of healthcare services in Ghana by covering over 95% of disease conditions in the NHIS Benefit Package. This package includes over 550 formulations on the NHIS Medicines list to address the diseases covered under the scheme.
Dr. Dacosta Aboagye, the Acting Chief Executive of the NHIA, signed the press statement affirming the commitment of the management to ensuring quality healthcare delivery to all NHIS members. The NHIA stated that it is not in arrears with these payments, as they were made within the accepted 90-day window for the payment of vetted claims. The NHIS was established by an Act of Parliament 650 (Act 650, 2003) and was later amended in 2012 with Act 852 to provide access to healthcare for all.
Healthcare providers granted credentials by the NHIA are required to comply with the NHIS Medicines List and Service Tariff. Failure to do so could result in sanctions. In response to recent economic conditions, the NHIA, in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service, Christian Health Association of Ghana, and other stakeholders, is conducting a comprehensive review of the NHIS Medicines Tariffs for necessary adjustments.
To address issues of illegal fees and extortion demanded from NHIS members at some healthcare facilities, the NHIA and key stakeholders are increasing public education about the scheme and its benefits. They are also promoting the entitlement of NHIS members and engaging in community outreach to enhance understanding and ownership of the NHIS. NHIS members are encouraged to report any incidents of illegal charges or extortions to their local NHIS District Office, the call center, or through social media for resolution.
NHIS members can download the MyNHIS App on Google Play or the App Store to register themselves and others using a Ghana Card. Alternatively, membership can be renewed by dialing *929# and following the prompts. These efforts aim to ensure that NHIS members receive the quality healthcare services they are entitled to.
In conclusion, the NHIA’s recent payments to healthcare providers demonstrate its commitment to fulfilling its mandate as a provider of healthcare services in Ghana. By ensuring timely payments and addressing issues of illegal fees, the NHIA is working to improve access to quality healthcare for all NHIS members.
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