NHIA releases GH¢800m to healthcare providers

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has released GH¢800 million for the payment of claims to facilities to address outstanding claims from healthcare providers nationwide. 

Subsequently, the authority has transferred GH¢400 million to the facilities to cover claims for April and May 2024, with preparations to retire the entire release in the coming weeks.

The Chief Executive of NHIA, Dr Da-Costa Aboagye, disclosed this to the Daily Graphic in Accra and underscored the NHIA’s commitment to improving the sustainability and efficiency of healthcare delivery under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

“This substantial release not only bridges the debt gap, but also reinforces our commitment to a robust and efficient healthcare system. Our continuous efforts to release funds in a timely manner are intended to ensure that outstanding payments are within the agreed three-month reimbursement period,” Dr Aboagye said.

“The payment is crucial for enhancing the quality of care provided to NHIS members and supporting the operational needs of healthcare facilities,” the Chief Executive added.

The latest payment follows a series of previous disbursements to settle other outstanding claims.

Previous disbursements

Earlier in the year, the authority released GH¢300 million to cover claims up to January 2024 for various health facilities.

On August 17, 2024, the NHIA released another GH¢151 million to cover claims from March 2024 for higher-tier healthcare providers, and from April 2024 for lower-tier facilities.

It was preceded by a GH¢135.6 million payment in July this year, which settled claims of up to February 2024 for higher-tier providers, and up to March 2024 for lower-tier facilities.

On April 30, 2024, the NHIA released over GH¢170 million to cover predominantly claims of January and February 2024 for lower-tier facilities, who form the majority of healthcare providers, and up to November 2023 for upper-tier facilities and healthcare providers.

On March 22, 2024, the NHIA paid GH¢180 million to various categories of healthcare providers across the country for claims submitted and vetted up to December 2023.

Then on February 13, 2024, the NHIA paid more than GH¢130 million to 4,850 mission, public, private and quasi-public healthcare providers nationwide largely for claims submitted for the month of October 2023.

Gratitude

“Prompt payment enhances the quality of care provided to NHIS members, and supports the operational needs of healthcare facilities,” the NHIA CEO said.

“The NHIA’s ongoing financial support is a positive step towards strengthening Ghana’s healthcare system, maintaining strong partnerships with healthcare providers, and ensuring the delivery of quality healthcare services to all NHIS subscribers,” he added.

Currently, the NHIS Benefit Package covers over 95 per cent of disease conditions affecting residents, and includes over 550 formulations on the NHIS medicines list, ensuring comprehensive coverage for all diseases under the scheme.

Dr Aboagye expressed gratitude to healthcare providers “for their dedication and crucial role in the success of the NHIS”. 

“The NHIA assures stakeholders that it remains committed to engaging with them to address any concerns and improve the efficiency of service delivery, claims processing and payments,” the CEO said.