NHIA releases GH¢400 million to settle healthcare provider debts nationwide

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has disbursed GH¢400 million to settle debts owed to healthcare providers across the country.

This was announced in a press statement released on September 3 and signed by the NHIA’s Chief Executive, Dr. Aboagye Da-Costa. The funds cover claims for April and May of this year.

The NHIA emphasized that this payment highlights its ongoing commitment to enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of healthcare delivery under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). The statement further mentioned that the “timely” release of these funds aims to ensure that all outstanding payments are settled within the agreed three-month reimbursement period.

According to the NHIA, this payment is crucial for improving the quality of care provided to NHIS members and for meeting the operational needs of healthcare facilities.

This recent disbursement is part of a series of payments made by the NHIA this year to address outstanding claims. Earlier in the year, GH¢300 million was disbursed to cover claims up to January 2024 for various healthcare facilities.

On August 17, 2024, the NHIA released GH¢151 million to settle claims from March 2024 for higher-tier healthcare providers and from April 2024 for lower-tier facilities. This followed a GH¢135.6 million payment in July, which covered claims up to February 2024 for higher-tier providers and up to March 2024 for lower-tier facilities.

In April 2024, the NHIA disbursed GH¢170.8 million to predominantly settle claims from January and February 2024 for lower-tier facilities, which make up the majority of healthcare providers, and up to November 2023 for upper-tier providers.

Earlier in March 2024, GH¢180 million was paid to various categories of healthcare providers for claims submitted up to December 2023. In February 2024, the NHIA paid GH¢130.2 million to 4,850 Mission, Public, Private, and Quasi-Public healthcare providers, largely for claims from October 2023.

The NHIA expressed gratitude to healthcare providers for their dedication and vital role in the success of the NHIS.