NHIA Urges Amendment of Health Insurance Act to Support Free Primary Healthcare
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has called for the amendment of the Health Insurance Act, 2012 to provide a legal framework for the government's Free Primary Healthcare initiative and population-based payment methods.
In Brief
- •The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has called for the amendment of the Health Insurance Act, 2012 to provide a legal framework for the government's Free Primary Healthcare initiative and population-based payment methods.
- •The NHIA highlighted operational challenges such as claims leakages, illegal co-payments, and mismatched healthcare tariffs as reasons for the proposed amendment.
- •Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of Operations at the NHIA, Dr Kwesi Djokoto, urged Parliament's Health Committee to support the amendment and strengthen sanctions against fraudulent practices.
- •The NHIA is implementing digital interventions, reviewing tariffs, and establishing an anti-fraud directorate to address operational challenges and prevent fraud.
- •Dr Djokoto called on the Health Committee to support capital budget funding for 2027 to strengthen the NHIA's infrastructure and systems.
Why It Matters
The amendment of the Health Insurance Act is crucial for the successful implementation of the government's Free Primary Healthcare initiative. It aims to provide a legal framework that aligns with new approaches to healthcare financing and service delivery. This move is expected to address operational challenges, improve the efficiency of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and enhance the integrity of the health insurance system. By strengthening legal backing and operational measures, the NHIA aims to ensure that the NHIS can effectively support the government's healthcare objectives and provide better services to the population.
Key Details
- Act Amended
- Health Insurance Act, 2012 (Act 852)
- Claims Turnaround Time
- 20 days
- Payment Frequency
- Monthly
- Capital Budget Funding Year
- 2027
Context & Background
The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was established in Ghana to provide affordable healthcare services to the population. The NHIA is responsible for the administration and management of the NHIS, which includes the processing of claims, payment of healthcare providers, and the implementation of healthcare policies.
Original Reporting & Sources
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