The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has released GH₵200 million as claims payment to health facilities nationwide while rolling out the free dialysis treatment programme, effective December 1, 2024.

The NHIA’s prompt payments regime, introduced earlier this year, has been instrumental in maintaining a debt-free status for 2024, ensuring timely reimbursement to healthcare providers across the country.

This latest payment brings the total amount released by the NHIA over the last two months to GH¢1 billion, underscoring the Authority’s ongoing commitment to supporting healthcare providers and ensuring the sustainability of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Dr. DaCosta Aboagye, Chief Executive Officer of the NHIA, confirmed the disbursement in an interview with the Ghana News Agency to cover claims submitted and vetted for the months of September and October 2024

He assured Ghanaians that the NHIA had no outstanding claims to settle, emphasizing the Authority’s readiness to ensure the successful implementation of the free dialysis programme.

“We don’t have any outstanding claims to pay. Normally, our payments range between GH₵150 million and GH₵200 million. I have told the facilities to bring their claims because we have the money to pay them. NHIS is at its best and back on its feet,” Dr DaCosta Aboagye said.

Dr. Aboagye highlighted the scheme’s financial growth, noting that its budget had increased by GH₵2 million annually since 2017.

He disclosed that the NHIA 2024 budget stood at GH₵6.8 billion, with half allocated for claims.

“As we speak, the claims budget is still underutilized. We have paid over GH₵2 billion in claims this year and still have funds available. We are literally begging facilities to bring their claims,” he reiterated.