The deputy director of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Mr Theophilus Owusu Ansah said the Authority is reviewing its price tariffs to deal with the challenge of illegal charges.
“We are currently reviewing our tariffs to make sure that it commensurate with the increasing prices. Once we do that, no facilities will have the moral right to charge any of our members in the benefit package that we have provided. Any provider who will go contrary to the agreed principles will be sanctioned,” he said.
Despite improvements in payment to health facilities, reports of illegal charges persist. Some individuals have complained about being asked to pay at hospitals despite having health insurance. Rest assured, this issue is currently under investigation.
Mr. Theophilus Owusu Ansah addressed this issue during the official opening ceremony of F. Alpha and Omega Specialist Hospital in Powerland-Madina. He emphasized that appropriate sanctions will be implemented, along with the rollout of incentives such as a review of tariffs.
Overall, Mr. Owusu’s commitment to addressing illegal charges in health facilities demonstrates a dedication to ensuring fair and accessible healthcare for all individuals.
He urged everybody Ghanaian to have health insurance because you don’t know when any sickness can attack you. “We know people who are driving in their cars but were not taken care of at the hospitals because their health insurance cards have expired more than months and years.”
Mr Francis Ofosu, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of F. Alpha and Omega Specialist Hospital, called NHIA to review its price tariffs to ensure that the providers can also get better.
“As soon as the prices come up, our brothers and sisters only know their reasons behind, will wait until NHIA prices come, in weeks or a month time, they also review their prices upright to cover what NHIA has come out with.”
He urged the state manufacturers of drugs, importers of drugs and all the pharmaceutical industries to meet and come out with a certain rule map as far as prices are concerned before NHIA comes out with their prices.
Source: Oyerepafmonline.com / Bernard K. Dadzie
