No Imminent Plan for Visitors Health Insurance Implementation- NHIA

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has discredited reports that the implementation of the National Non-Resident Visitors Health Insurance policy will begin next month.

According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Scheme, Dr Aboagye Dacosta, there are no plans for implementation any time soon.

“Please disregard the misinformation on the costings of foreign visitors insurance ranging from $45 to $270… The start date of 1st July 2024 is False and I have no idea of such a proposed date,” he said in a Facebook post on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, after it was widely reported by the media that the implementation of the policy is imminent.

He explained that though the NHIA Act, 2012 (Act 852), mandates them to make sure non-residents have health insurance, the Authority has not yet worked out any details for implementation.

“No decision has been taken by NHIA Executive Management nor the Board on the way forward of this National Non-resident Visitors Health Insurance policy developed in 2023 and launched in February 2024, before my assumption of office.

“I am also yet to receive any report by any committee that was set up before my assumption of office on this policy, and if any, the details…In any case, the implementation will need cabinet and parliamentary approvals aside from stakeholder engagements. Such proposal will also require an opinion from the Attorney General.”