The NHIS team handing over the certificate to IMaH management
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has presented credential certificate to the International Maritime Hospital, (IMaH) Tema, as part of efforts to expand access to free healthcare for all.
The presentation of the certificate implies that the government owned international hospital has begun the acceptance of NHIA cards for healthcare services.
CEO of the NHIA, Dr. Alfred Okoe Boye, in a statement before the presentation expressed his joy to formally hand over the NHIA credentialing certificate to the Hospital.
He said the NHIS has grown to become a major instrument of financing healthcare delivery in the country noting that achieving UHC for Ghana also means that the (NHIA) must do well to expand geographical access to healthcare hence the need to work with institutions like the IMaT.
“On our part we have introduced exciting groundbreaking innovations to make joining the Scheme and being a member, more convenient and hassle-free. We have injected efficiencies in our claims management regime where today 86% of our claims are submitted and vetted electronically as compared to barely 2 years ago when claims were 80% manually vetted.
This has increased the turnaround time for vetting, and reduced wastage and leakages resulting in our ability to reimburse claims more promptly,” he stated.
Dr. Okoe Boye said the NHIA is currently paying on average GH¢150 – GH¢200mn monthly as claims reimbursement to healthcare providers.
“Within the last 30 days alone, the NHIA has paid GH¢367m to over 4,500 credentialed facilities across the country to cover claims bills up to December 2022,” he said.
He indicated that the NHIA is working to deliver a robust NHIS, however some health providers blatantly charge NHIS members some out-of-pocket illegal fees making the Scheme unattractive.
“The NHIA Board is reviewing the first national report and will soon publish guidance on sanctions that will apply to facilities that fall short of our expectations,” he added.
The NHIA CEO expressed the hope that the facility will uphold the tenets of health insurance and provide the quality of care desirous of all its patients alike.
CEO of IMaH, Dr. Akwasi Afriyie Achampong, welcomed the new development indicating that the hospital has always been opened to the public as it received other forms of insurance schemes to treat patients.
He said the coming onboard of the NHIS will enable the hospital expand its services to all. He pledged the hospitals commitment in ensuring the high medical standards it is known for are maintained.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri