The Private Health Facilities Association of Ghana (PHFAOG) and Health Insurance Service Providers Association of Ghana (HISPAG) has urged the public and NHIS card holders to carry cash alongside their cards to meet the cost of any service that may not be able to provide immediately.
The Private Health Facilities Association of Ghana (PHFAOG) and Health Insurance Service Providers Association of Ghana (HISPAG) held a press conference on Wednesday, calling on the government to pay them their arrears.
The Executive Director, Health Insurance Service Providers Association of Ghana (HISPAG) Frank Torblu said, the core mandate of NHIA is to pay claims, but this has been defeated by consistent issue of government’s inability to adequately fund the NHIS for onward reimbursement to health service providers to enable them provide quality healthcare services to the people of Ghana.
According to him, NHIS owes service providers for 14 months, which covers areas from 2018 for some providers and 2019 for others.
“This he said is unacceptable considering the fact that, the health sector is regarded as an essential service and a key component for socio-economic development…‘’We urge the Government, the Minister of Health, the NHIA and all stakeholders to treat these issues with the utmost urgency it deserves to prevent any imminent action by service providers’’.
‘’It is very sad for our clinicians put their lives at risk to save lives of National Health Insurance card holders for which payment has not been received from NHIS, but to be put before a court for nonpayment of PAYE and SSNIT contribution on behalf of their staff,’’ he added.
He therefore pleaded with government to as a matter of urgency review and adjust to the medicine tariff for an effective drug dispensation added that the Finance Ministry should as a matter of agency transfer all monies due NHIA in connection with 2.5% National Health Insurance Levy.
“SSNIT should transfer 2.5% as part of workers’ contributions to NHIA. Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) should account for the total amount received on behalf of NHIA,” he said.
He also asked the political actors to stay away from NHIS to enable the appointed executives and other technocrats to prudently manage the affairs of the Scheme.
In conclusion he said, effective 1st March, 2020, the providers would be compelled to withdraw some services that continue to create a financial burden, especially those that are not within their control if their demands are not met.
Ghana | Atinkaonline | Queenel Delali Kukey
