The Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe, has warned health facilities accredited under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) against charging members for services covered by the scheme, threatening sanctions against facilities found engaging in the practice.
He said no NHIA-credentialed health facility had the right to demand payment from NHIS members for services covered under the scheme, stressing that the Authority would not tolerate such violations.
Dr. Bampoe said the NHIA now had the authority to sanction facilities found culpable of imposing illegal charges on members, in a move aimed at protecting beneficiaries and ensuring they received the full benefits of their insurance coverage.
He gave the warning during the commissioning of a new NHIA district office at Ejura-Sekyedumase in the Ashanti Region.
The CEO’s warning comes amid concerns over illegal charges imposed on NHIS members at some health facilities, a practice that undermines public confidence in the scheme and places additional financial burdens on beneficiaries.
Dr. Bampoe also announced that the One-Time Access Code (OTAC) system would soon be introduced in the Ashanti Region to strengthen accountability and curb fraudulent claims.
The system is designed to authenticate members’ attendance at healthcare facilities and improve the verification of services provided.
He urged NHIA staff to familiarise themselves with the new system ahead of its implementation, emphasising the need for stronger monitoring and accountability within the scheme.
The newly commissioned office is expected to improve access to NHIA services in the municipality by providing a more convenient environment for membership registration, renewals and complaints resolution.
Dr. Bampoe said the facility represented more than an improvement in infrastructure, adding that it must translate into better service delivery and an improved experience for NHIS members.
He commended the Ejura-Sekyedumase District Office for achieving more than 89 per cent of its set target, describing the performance as an improvement over its previous results. He, however, urged staff to work harder to achieve even better outcomes.
The CEO also charged employees to demonstrate discipline, professionalism and excellent customer service, stressing that public confidence in the NHIS depended partly on how members were treated at the Authority’s offices.
He expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama, the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Health for their support towards strengthening the operations of the Authority.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by the Chief of Ejura-Sekyedumase, Nana Barima Osei Hwedie; the Member of Parliament for the area, Alhaji Bawa Brimah; the Municipal Chief Executive, Rafiu Adam Seidu; and the NHIA Regional Director, Alhaji Muniru Muntaka, among other dignitaries.
The dignitaries commended the NHIA leadership and board for efforts to improve the operations of the scheme.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
