Parliament describes NHIS indebtedness to service providers as burden

Parliament has described the indebtedness of the National Health insurance Authority to service providers as an albatross on the authority's neck. 

The first deputy speaker of parliament, Joseph Osei Owusu said this in parliament as he presented the report of the House on the propose formula for the disbursement of the national health insurance fund for this year. 

He said parliament was seriously concerned that GH¢425 million in the books of the NHIA were arrears in the payment of claims from last year

The House has therefore called on the ministry of finance to ensure timely release of funds due it. 

This will ensure the prompt settlement of its obligations. 

He said last year, the authority made a revenue of GH¢1.4 million. It however spent 1.5 million. 

He said the authority expects to receive GH¢2.2 million from the health insurance levy and SSNIT in order to do its work this year. 

Mr Osei Owusu said there is the need to strengthen the claims processing of the scheme to ensure that claims are properly reviewed and authenticated to avoid overpayment of claims. 

The fund has been given GH¢2.26 million for its activities this year. 

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