The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) says it has settle debts owed service providers.

In a statement copied to JoyNews, the Authority said it has disbursed in excess of ₵92 million following which additional funding of ₵300, 000, 000 was received from the government.

“Additional funds have since been received from government which now totals ₵598, 940, 611.70 paid to NHIS service providers as Claims payments and includes withholding taxes due to them.

“These payments were effected between January 1 and June 16, 2020 in the following order, public health facilities received ₵315,673,613.56 representing 52.8% of the payments whiles the private service providers have been paid ₵171,959,798.56 pegged at 28.8%,” the statement said.

It added that mission health facilities (CHAG) have received ₵100,447,987.95 representing 16.8% and quasi-government service providers have been paid ₵10,030,051.21 representing 1.7% of the total payments made so far.

The NHIA says it is committed to further reducing any outstanding claims to ensure that the Scheme’s members continue to receive quality healthcare while ensuring that service providers who are critical partners in the NHIA’s drive to attain Universal Health Coverage (UHC) are adequately resourced.

“Management of the Scheme recently re-assured service providers and the general public of their commitment to ensure prompt payment of claims and the judicious use of tax payers’ funds.

“Historically, the NHIA paid on average ₵85 million as monthly Claims bills to service providers and so the latest prompt payments indicates that a little over ₵100 million is being paid to cover every month.”

The NHIS has over the past sixteen years grown to become a major instrument for financing health care delivery in Ghana and in fact is the financial mainstay of over 4, 600 credentialed healthcare service providers in the country accounting for more than 85% of funds that flow into healthcare facilities to treat NHIS members.

The Scheme is credited with improvements in the healthcare-seeking behaviour of many people in Ghana who now tend to seek medical attention earlier than before, thereby avoiding unnecessary deterioration in their health conditions. The NHIS continues to provide financial access to healthcare for many people who otherwise could not afford the cost of their healthcare.

More people are visiting various NHIS credentialed health institutions across the country on account of the Scheme. In fact, the NHIS in November 2019, recorded the highest active membership over 12 million its inception and is still growing.

For convenience and to practice social distancing, NHIS members are advised to renew their membership by dialing *929# from any mobile network with a mobile wallet to enjoy uninterrupted healthcare services.

As a major stakeholder in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, the NHIA is determined to reduce any outstanding claims due service providers to ensure that adequate resources are available to all healthcare facilities. Management also strongly urges healthcare facilities to promptly settle their debts to the pharmaceutical companies to avoid any disruptions in the medicine supply chain.