…. As Gov?t Pays Only One Out Of Seven Months Claims Arrears
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and government have thrown dust into the eyes of the ordinary Ghanaian population and private health service providers including pharmacies, clinics, and private hospitals after claiming it had settled over three months outstanding bills in relation to claims the authority owes these service providers.
Although the NHIA has indicated that all properly-submitted claims within the statutory period for services rendered up to the close of October and November 2012 have been paid, The Moment has established that, this is not true.
Checks conducted in relation to this however is that service providers after receiving the information and hearing the CEO of the Authority, Mr. Sylvester Mensah went to the banks to access the money only to realised that the arrears for September was the only claims paid into their accounts.
The Moment has gathered that government had released funds for the payment of only one out of the seven months arrears. This paper has found out that the service providers have not been paid from September 2012 till date, with no attempts on the parts of scheme managers including government to pay until tension begun to mount in certain quarters.
However, in relation to recent tension and subsequent decision by some providers including Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), the Authority this paper has gathered has settled one month, thus for September 2012 only leaving the rest six months claims still in arrears.
The situation has further angered the providers with those already suspending their services expressing their unwillingness to rescind their decisions and others are ready to follow suite.
However, a press release issued by the Authority called on Health Service Providers, who have any other issues relating to the payment of their claims, to notify the Authority.
?It is expected that with these payments, normal service would be restored to all NHIS card holders across the country,? it said.
