NHIA releases GH¢400m to healthcare providers nationwide

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has made a landmark disbursement of GH¢400 million to healthcare facilities across Ghana, a move aimed at addressing outstanding claims and reinforcing the sustainability of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). This significant financial release, which covers claims for April and May 2024, marks a pivotal step in the NHIA’s commitment to timely and efficient healthcare delivery.

The latest payment is part of a series of strategic disbursements by the NHIA to settle claims and maintain the operational vitality of healthcare providers. Earlier this year, the NHIA released GH¢300 million to cover claims up to January 2024.

Subsequent payments included GH¢151 million on August 17 to cover March 2024 claims for higher-tier providers and April 2024 claims for lower-tier facilities. In July, GH¢135.6 million was disbursed to settle claims up to February 2024 for higher-tier providers and March 2024 for lower-tier facilities. These payments followed a GH¢170.8 million disbursement on April 30 to cover predominantly January and February 2024 claims for lower-tier facilities and November 2023 claims for upper-tier providers.

Additionally, GH¢180 million was paid on March 22 to clear claims submitted and vetted up to December 2023, while GH¢130.2 million was released on February 13 to settle October 2023 claims for 4,850 healthcare providers nationwide.

In an statement, Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye, Chief Executive of the NHIA, emphasized the importance of these timely payments, noting that they are crucial for enhancing the quality of care provided to NHIS members and supporting the operational needs of healthcare facilities. “This substantial release not only bridges the debt gap but also reinforces our commitment to a robust and efficient healthcare system,” he stated.

The NHIA’s proactive approach to disbursement reflects its commitment to ensuring that outstanding payments remain within the agreed three-month reimbursement period. By maintaining this financial discipline, the NHIA aims to strengthen the partnerships with healthcare providers and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of quality healthcare services to NHIS subscribers.

Currently, the NHIS Benefit Package covers over 95 percent of disease conditions affecting residents, including more than 550 formulations on the NHIS medicines list. This extensive coverage ensures that members receive comprehensive care under the scheme.

Dr. Aboagye also expressed gratitude to healthcare providers for their dedication and crucial role in the success of the NHIS. He assured all stakeholders that the NHIA remains committed to continuous engagement to address any concerns and improve the efficiency of service delivery, claims processing, and payments.