In order to regain the public's trust in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the Ministry of Health has issued warnings to healthcare professionals not to bill clients for services that are already covered by the program.
The sector minister, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, stated that co-payments, which are additional fees imposed by service providers for ailments already covered by the plan, had become a significant problem for the plan and urged service providers, in particular the Ghana Health Service (GHS), to assist in resolving the issue.
"Co-payments are no longer permitted."
The president detests it when needy folks pay out of pocket for medical care, he remarked.
"Maternal services, like deliveries, are meant to be free, but some institutions are charging patients as much as a Ghanaian shilling (GH) one hundred for the service, and that is wrong."
"To the end-user, it would appear like the plan is failing if it happens that way," he continued.
The sector minister said co-payments acted as a barrier to access while speaking to the Daily Graphic in Accra. As a result, the ministry was seeking to abolish the practice through significant interactions.
The government has been doing well lately with on-time payments, which is a blessing.
To make sure that service providers regularly get money, we have been paying monthly in chunks on a regular basis.
Over time, the gap in arrears has been closed.
In comparison to the situation that existed a few years ago, when service providers were owed 12 months or more, they are now owed roughly four or five months.
Co-payments are thus not justified by service suppliers.
"The conduct is unlawful since it amounts to extortion," he added.
According to the minister, the NHIS is still functional and continues to offer unrestricted access to healthcare.
He said that there were no indications that the plan was about to collapse and that the government would keep funding it.
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