Co-Payment Under NHIS Is Illegal – NHIA Ashanti Regional Director
The Ashanti Regional Director of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka Muniru, has cautioned that any form of co-payment under Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme is illegal and must not be demanded from insured patients.
Speaking in an interview with Kofi Boakye on Nkwantannso on Opemsuo Radio, he clarified that the NHIS does not operate a co-payment system, and any such charges by health facilities are outside the law.
“What is sometimes referred to as co-payment here is actually illegal. It is not part of our contract with healthcare providers and is against the law,” he stated.
He explained that unlike in some countries where patients are required to pay part of the cost of treatment despite having insurance, Ghana’s NHIS is designed to cover services without additional charges to the patient.
Alhaji Muniru advised that patients with valid NHIS cards who are asked to pay for services should challenge such demands and insist on their rights.
According to him, if a facility claims a service is not covered under the scheme, patients should request an official receipt and report the matter to the NHIA.
He disclosed that the Authority has a toll-free line, 6447, through which complaints can be lodged, adding that several clients have already been supported to recover monies wrongly collected by some health facilities.
He acknowledged that some patients may hesitate to report such incidents due to personal relationships with healthcare providers, but stressed that this undermines efforts to improve the system.
“Reporting these issues is not about undermining anyone’s work; it is about ensuring that all parties adhere to the agreed rules and that the system works fairly for everyone,” he said.
Alhaji Muniru urged the public to remain vigilant and report any illegal charges to help strengthen accountability within the National Health Insurance Scheme.
