The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has waived the mandatory one month waiting period for first-term registrants and defaulters of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) starting from 9th to 15th November 2020.
Per this amnesty, the beneficiaries are entitled within the first week period to use their cards to access healthcare services at the Authority’s accredited health facilities.
Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia officially announced the waiver at the launch of the NHIS Week celebration under the theme, “NHIS-Leaving no one behind,” held at the Accra International Conference Centre.
The veep elaborated on the Ghana card and NHIS card integration and urged nonmembers to enroll in the Scheme as Ghana is poised to attaining Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030.
He furthered that, the SMS feature system embedded in the NHIS Mobile Membership Renewal Service which allows NHIS members to confirm their attendance at health facilities is reducing the submission of duplicate or unearned claims submitted by Healthcare Providers for payment.
Also, Member of Parliament for Dorma Central who doubles as the Minister of Health, Hon. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu in a speech read on his behalf stated, “The NHIS has since its, establishment, improved access to healthcare services; reduced out-of-pocket payment and contributed to improved health outcomes. In addition, it has also contributed to the financial resources of the healthcare providers to expand their facilities.”
“As Ghana strives towards the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) the NHIS will play a key role in this effort. Therefore, in order not to leave anyone behind, management of the Scheme have adopted innovative strategies to facilitate enrolment and renewal of membership.”
He admonished all residents of Ghana to enrol onto the NHIS. “We, therefore, encourage the never enrolled members to join the Scheme and members with expired cards to renew their membership to instantly access healthcare services.”
