The Private Health Facilities Association of Ghana (PHFAoG) has announced that its members will begin charging National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) cardholders for services, citing ongoing delays in reimbursement for medical claims.
According to PHFAoG, some private healthcare providers are facing severe financial strain, with certain facilities owed for up to eight months in unpaid claims. Deputy General Secretary of PHFAoG, Aaron Nyamekye, explained to Citi News that these arrears are causing significant operational challenges for private health providers, making it difficult for them to maintain their services.
While the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has assured healthcare providers that payments are being processed, Nyamekye emphasized that the association requires tangible proof of payments being deposited into the accounts of service providers before any further action can be taken.
“The government has communicated that they are addressing the issue, but what we need to see is actual evidence that the funds have been transferred,” Nyamekye said. “If we don’t see the money in the accounts of the service providers soon, we will intensify our measures, and this could involve charging patients directly for their healthcare services.”
The PHFAoG’s decision to charge NHIS cardholders has raised concerns over access to healthcare for insured individuals, as private facilities are crucial providers of services within the NHIS network. The association has warned that the current financial difficulties could lead to a disruption in care if immediate action is not taken to resolve the outstanding payments.
