The Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe, says the Authority is fully prepared to implement a 120 percent increase in service tariffs pending statutory approval from the NHIA Board and the Minister for Health.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Point of View on Wednesday, November 26, Dr. Bampoe revealed that the proposed adjustment is the result of comprehensive technical work carried out by a team of independent experts mandated to undertake an extensive tariff review.
According to him, the review team—constituted under Sections 33 and 34 of the National Health Insurance Act, which require annual updates of both medicines and service tariffs—conducted a rigorous assessment of healthcare service costs across the country. Their analysis concluded that a 120% increase is necessary to ensure sustainability, fairness, and improved service delivery within the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Background to the Tariff Review
Dr. Bampoe explained that while the medicines tariff review has already been completed and implemented, the service tariff review, which began in 2022, required more time because of its scale and depth.
“There are two types of reviews that we need to do, but this was a really comprehensive one, so I think they could not finish on time and so it is now that they have finished,” he noted.
The review process involved evaluating the cost of clinical services, labour, consumables, and inflationary pressures affecting healthcare providers. It also considered feedback from hospitals, pharmacies, and other stakeholders who have long called for tariff adjustments to match the current economic environment.
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Awaiting Final Approval
The NHIA CEO highlighted that the Authority has completed all preparatory work and is now “ready to implement”—but the final decision rests with the Board and the Health Minister.
“Now it has to go to the Board for them to look at it and give their view on it. It has to go to the Minister of Health to give his assent, and then we will implement it if they all think it is okay,” he stated.
He emphasized that the increase is essential for boosting healthcare provider confidence, preventing losses within the health system, and improving the overall quality of care for NHIS subscribers.
Potential Impact on Healthcare Delivery
If approved, the 120% tariff adjustment is expected to:
- Enhance the financial sustainability of healthcare facilities
- Reduce the frequency of co-payments and out-of-pocket charges
- Strengthen provider-NHIA relationships
- Improve access to quality healthcare services nationwide
Stakeholders across the health sector are closely monitoring the approval process, as the tariff increase is anticipated to be one of the most significant reforms to the NHIS in recent years.
