The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has disbursed GH¢400 million to clear outstanding claims owed to healthcare providers across Ghana.
This payment, covering claims for April and May 2024, is part of the NHIA’s ongoing efforts to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of healthcare delivery under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
This latest disbursement raises the total amount paid to service providers this year to over GH¢1.4 billion (GH¢1,467.6 million).
In a statement, the NHIA emphasized that this significant release not only closes the debt gap but also reaffirms the Authority’s commitment to a robust and efficient healthcare system.
Efforts to ensure timely payments
The NHIA highlighted that its continuous and regular efforts to release funds promptly aim to ensure that outstanding payments remain within the agreed three-month reimbursement period.
The timely payment of claims is seen as crucial for improving the quality of care provided to NHIS members and supporting the operational needs of healthcare facilities nationwide.
Recent disbursement history
This GH¢400 million payment follows a series of earlier disbursements aimed at settling outstanding claims.
Earlier in the year, the NHIA released GH¢300 million to cover claims up to January 2024.
Subsequent payments included GH¢151 million on August 17, 2024, for claims from March and April 2024, and GH¢135.6 million in July 2024, settling claims up to February and March 2024.
In addition, on April 30, 2024, the NHIA released GH¢170.8 million to cover claims predominantly for January and February 2024 for lower-tier facilities, and up to November 2023 for upper-tier providers.
In March 2024, GH¢180 million was paid to various healthcare providers for claims submitted up to December 2023, and in February 2024, GH¢130.2 million was disbursed to 4,850 healthcare providers for claims submitted for October 2023.
Impact on Ghana’s healthcare system
The NHIA’s ongoing financial support is a positive step towards strengthening Ghana’s healthcare system.
By maintaining strong partnerships with healthcare providers and ensuring the delivery of quality healthcare services to all NHIS subscribers, the Authority aims to sustain the effectiveness of the NHIS.
The NHIA also reaffirmed its commitment to engaging with stakeholders to address any concerns and improve the efficiency of service delivery, claims processing, and payments, thus ensuring that healthcare providers continue to deliver essential services to Ghanaians.
Comprehensive coverage under NHIS
Currently, the NHIS Benefit Package covers over 95 percent of disease conditions affecting residents and includes over 550 formulations on the NHIS medicines list, ensuring comprehensive coverage for all diseases under the scheme.
The NHIA expressed gratitude to healthcare providers for their dedication and crucial role in the success of the NHIS.
