The Finance Ministry has stated that it is working to clear all arears to health service providers under the National Health Insurance Scheme(NHIS).
Government currently owes health providers millions of cedis, which is said to affecting health care delivery in the country.
But speaking at a forum organized by the Private Health Insurers Association –Ghana, a Deputy Minister for Finance, Abena Osei Asare stated that government has released some 930 million cedis to clear part of the arrears.
“In terms of the delay in payment, let me clarify, in 2014 there was an arrears to the tune of 1.2 billion cedis. Currently, as we speak government has paid from 2014 to September of 2016, and for the claims in 2017, we have paid to the end of April,” she recalled.
She added, “Government is really committed to clearing the arrears, and we have released 930 million cedis to the NHIS to reduce the arrears and clear it drastically”.
Madam Osei Asare was of the view that private health providers must develop innovative means to partner with government in clearing the arrears.
She stated for example that the differences in claim payment is a setback to the scheme.
“The situation where two different hospitals located in the same area come with different claims for the treatment of the same illness is worrying. I think the agreement here is that we must coordinate these activities.
She stated that government is opened to ideas and suggestions from the private sector to enhance efficiency.
Meanwhile, the President of the Private Health Insurers Association –Ghana, Ronald Oppong Adom, urged government to review the current National Health Insurance Policy to make it effective.
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By: Lawrence Segbefia/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana