NHIA Accelerates Claims Payments, Advances Talks on New Tariffs

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The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has made a significant breakthrough in clearing outstanding claims owed to healthcare providers. This marks a major improvement in the financial situation of healthcare facilities, which have been facing financial pressures due to delayed reimbursements.

According to the NHIA Chief Executive Officer, Dr Victor Asare Bampoe, the Authority has accelerated claims payments to accredited providers, enabling many facilities to better manage their operations and focus on patient care. This progress was made possible with the increased government support provided to the NHIA.

The NHIA Chief Executive acknowledged the financial pressures health facilities have faced due to delayed reimbursements, but said the situation has improved considerably. He expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Finance for providing additional resources to strengthen the financial position of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

The Ministry of Finance has announced that Parliament approved GH¢10.7 billion for the National Health Insurance Scheme in 2025, with GH¢6.5 billion earmarked for provider claims. This is one of the largest allocations for claims payments in recent years.

Dr Bampoe said discussions on the tariff review have advanced significantly and assured providers that implementation is drawing closer. He noted that the NHIA remains in active engagement with healthcare providers and other stakeholders to ensure the revised tariffs are sustainable for both providers and the National Health Insurance Scheme.

The remarks come amid broader government efforts to improve healthcare financing. Healthcare providers, including CHAG facilities, have repeatedly called for a review of NHIS tariffs, arguing that existing reimbursement rates no longer reflect the actual cost of medicines, medical supplies and service delivery.

The NHIA Chief Executive stressed that strengthening provider confidence remains essential to the success of the NHIS, particularly as the government prepares to scale up the implementation of its flagship Free Primary Healthcare programme.

Strengthening provider confidence is critical to ensuring that health facilities have the financial capacity to deliver uninterrupted services to NHIS subscribers. The NHIA continues to work closely with providers to build a more responsive, efficient and financially sustainable health insurance system.

For many CHAG facilities, which collectively provide between 30 and 40 per cent of healthcare services nationwide, improvements in claims reimbursement and the implementation of revised tariffs are expected to ease financial pressures and strengthen service delivery, particularly in rural and underserved communities.