NHIA to review benefit package
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) is to review its premium exemption and benefit package to ensure greater efficiency and sustainability of the scheme.
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According to the authority, some of the benefits and exemption packages pose a threat to the sustainability of the scheme.
The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) exempts a number of people from paying premiums. They include children below 18 years and pregnant women.
The Chief Executive Officer of the NHIA, Mr Sylvester Mensah, announced this at the opening session of the authority’s 2015 management retreat held in Accra yesterday.
Management will use the two-day retreat to review its 2010-2014 medium-term strategic plan and map out the programme’s next medium term strategic plan.
Claims arrears
On outstanding claims, Mr Mensah promised that all 2014 arrears would be paid by the second quarter of this year.
Although he did not state the specific outstanding amount or months, Mr Mensah was emphatic that the arrears would be cleared by the second quarter of the year.
“We want to assure service providers that we are not oblivious of the challenges. We are hopeful that all arrears for the year 2014 will be paid by the second quarter of 2015”, he stressed.
Mr Mensah hinted that the authority would work towards generating other sources of funds to lessen the burden on the national coffers.
He added that the authority would also step up its efforts in controlling the escalating claims.
Performance
On the performance of the authority in the 2010-2014 strategic term, Mr Mensah said some significant progress was made. For instance, he said, four consolidated claims-processing centres were established at various locations to improve the processing of claims.
He, however, implored management to ensure greater operational and financial efficiency by avoiding unnecessary expenditure.
The Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Victor Bampoe, commended the NHIA for its performance over the years and urged its staff to work harder.
Concerning claims that are in arrears, he said his outfit was talking to the Ministry of Finance to fast-track the payment of the outstanding arrears.