Service providers for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) say they will not back down on a decision to charge cardholders unless outstanding claims are paid.

The providers, made up of the Ghana Health Service, the Christian Health Association of Ghana, the Society Of Private Medical And Dental Practitioners and the Ghana Registered Midwives Association in a joint statement said NHIS card holders must be prepared to pay for service rendered when they visit any health facility.

The service providers have not been paid claims for 7 months, the statement revealed.

Executive Director of the Christian Health Association of Ghana, Peter Yeboah, said the decision by the NHIS service providers shows the extent to which the health of Ghanaians have been compromised.

"When we submit our claims we expect that at least within a couple of months we will be reimbursed", he said.

Describing the decision as unfortunate, he said the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) cannot claim that the "high level indebtedness" is affecting the sustainability of the service providers.

The NHIS policy was introduced in 2006, to replace the cash and carry system.

However the policy has gone through turbulent challenges over the past few years, with service providers crying  over debts owed them by the NHIA.