The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has announced plans to intensify monitoring, investigations and enforcement against healthcare facilities imposing unauthorised charges on members of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
The move follows directives issued by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) on November 9 and November 11, 2026, respectively, instructing their facilities to comply strictly with NHIS requirements and stop charging members illegal fees.
In a statement issued on Thursday, November 12, the NHIA welcomed the directives, describing them as an important demonstration of institutional commitment to protecting NHIS members and restoring public confidence in the Scheme.
The Authority said the directives also reinforced President John Dramani Mahama’s instruction at the 68th Annual General Conference of the Ghana Medical Association for the NHIA to intensify monitoring of healthcare providers through facility-to-facility inspections and sanction institutions found imposing unauthorised charges.
The NHIA, led by its Chief Executive, Dr Victor Asare Bampoe, said it remained committed to a zero-tolerance approach towards illegal co-payments and additional out-of-pocket charges for services covered under the NHIS.
It particularly welcomed CHAG’s directive requiring its member institutions to implement revised NHIA-approved tariffs, update their billing systems and strengthen internal compliance monitoring.
The GHS directive, it added, similarly reinforces the obligation of healthcare facilities to honour their commitments under the NHIS.
The enforcement drive comes amid government interventions to improve the financial sustainability of the Scheme, including the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Fund, regular monthly reimbursement of vetted claims and an approximately 50 per cent increase in NHIS service tariffs, effective August 2026.
Providing an update on payments to healthcare providers, the NHIA disclosed that it disbursed GH¢210.36 million to credentialed facilities in October alone, bringing total claims payments for 2026 to GH¢2.325 billion.
The Authority said it would strengthen collaboration with healthcare provider leadership, regional and district health directorates and other stakeholders to monitor billing practices and investigate complaints of unauthorised charges.
It also commended the Director-General of the GHS, Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, and the Executive Director of CHAG, Dr Peter Yeboah, for prioritising patient welfare.
The NHIA reminded NHIS members that they are entitled to receive services covered under the Scheme’s benefit package without being compelled to make unauthorised additional payments.
Members who encounter such demands have been urged to report the facilities through the NHIA Call Centre on 6447, 054 444 6447 or 0302 74 6447.
Complaints can also be submitted through WhatsApp on 0501 169 8778 or via the Authority’s social media platforms.
The NHIA said eliminating illegal charges was critical to protecting vulnerable citizens from the financial burden of accessing healthcare and advancing Ghana’s goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage.
It stressed that the success of the NHIS depends not only on sustainable financing and timely reimbursement of healthcare providers but also on ensuring that members can access their entitled services without unauthorised financial barriers.
