NHIA commends GHS, CHAG for crackdown on unauthorised NHIS charges
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has welcomed directives from the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) requiring their respective healthcare facilities to strictly observe National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) guidelines and stop charging members unauthorised fees.
The directives, issued on November 9 and November 11, 2026, respectively, instruct healthcare providers to fulfil their obligations under the Scheme and ensure that patients are not asked to make additional payments for services already covered by the NHIS.
In a statement released on Thursday, November 12, the NHIA said the measures support President John Dramani Mahama’s directive at the 68th Annual General Conference of the Ghana Medical Association, where he tasked the Authority with strengthening its supervision of healthcare facilities.
The President had directed the NHIA to conduct regular facility-to-facility inspections, intensify monitoring and impose sanctions on institutions found charging NHIS members unauthorised fees.
The Authority described the latest directives as a significant demonstration of institutional cooperation and commitment towards protecting members’ rights and rebuilding public confidence in the Scheme.
It added that the development would strengthen the zero-tolerance campaign against illegal co-payments and unauthorised out-of-pocket charges being championed by its Chief Executive, Dr Victor Asare Bampoe, since taking office.
The NHIA particularly commended CHAG for directing its member facilities to adopt the revised tariffs approved by the Authority, update their billing systems and improve internal compliance monitoring.
It also noted that the GHS directive reinforces the obligation of public healthcare facilities to comply with the requirements of the NHIS.
According to the Authority, the renewed enforcement efforts come alongside major government interventions aimed at improving the financial sustainability of the Scheme.
These measures include removing the cap on the National Health Insurance Fund, ensuring regular monthly reimbursement of verified claims and increasing NHIS service tariffs by approximately 50 per cent, effective August 2026.
The NHIA further disclosed that it paid GH¢210.36 million to accredited healthcare facilities in October alone as part of efforts to ensure timely reimbursement for services provided.
This brings the total amount paid to healthcare providers in claims for 2026 to GH¢2.325 billion.
The Authority said it would strengthen its monitoring, investigative and enforcement operations to ensure that the directives issued by the GHS and CHAG translate into actual compliance across healthcare facilities.
It also pledged to deepen cooperation with healthcare provider associations, regional and district health directorates and other relevant stakeholders to monitor billing practices and investigate complaints involving unauthorised charges.
The NHIA warned that illegal co-payments and additional out-of-pocket fees impose an unnecessary financial burden on vulnerable citizens and weaken public trust in the health insurance system.
It said the directives from the two major healthcare provider organisations would further support its nationwide compliance audits and taskforce operations aimed at eliminating the practice.
The Authority expressed appreciation to the Director-General of the GHS, Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, and CHAG Executive Director, Dr Peter Yeboah, alongside other healthcare provider associations, for placing patients’ welfare at the centre of their operations.
It reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with stakeholders in the health sector to eliminate unauthorised charges and protect the integrity of the NHIS as Ghana works towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The NHIA also reminded members that they are entitled to receive all services covered under the NHIS Benefit Package without being forced to pay additional unauthorised fees.
Members who encounter healthcare facilities demanding extra payments for services covered by the Scheme have been urged to report such incidents to the Authority.
Complaints can be made through the NHIA Call Centre on 6447, 054 444 6447 or 0302 74 6447. Members can also reach the Authority via WhatsApp on 0501 169 8778 or through its social media channels.
The Authority emphasised that the effectiveness of the NHIS depends not only on adequate financing and prompt reimbursement of healthcare providers but also on ensuring that members can access their entitled services without facing unauthorised financial demands.
It added that it would continue working with the GHS, CHAG and other healthcare provider associations to protect the rights of members and ensure the Scheme fulfils its responsibility of shielding Ghanaians from the financial burden of accessing healthcare.
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