Mahama Warns Health Facilities Against Unapproved Charges to NHIS Patients
President John Mahama has cautioned health facilities against demanding unauthorised payments from patients who access medical services under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), warning that institutions found engaging in the practice will face sanctions.
He said the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) had begun monitoring health facilities nationwide to identify those collecting additional fees from patients even after they present valid NHIS cards.
Speaking at the 68th Annual General Meeting of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) at Central University in Prampram, President Mahama said his attention had been drawn to complaints about the practice and insisted that it must stop.
“I have received complaints that, despite patients presenting their NHIS cards, some facilities still demand money from them before providing services,” he said.
He explained that the NHIA was carrying out monitoring activities and warned that facilities found imposing charges beyond the approved insurance arrangements would be punished.
The President also outlined the government’s efforts to improve healthcare delivery through an integrated system involving the Free Primary Healthcare programme, the uncapped NHIS and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as MahamaCares.
According to him, the three initiatives are expected to work together to ensure patients receive appropriate care at different stages, from early screening and diagnosis to specialised treatment for serious health conditions.
President Mahama noted that the Free Primary Healthcare programme, introduced in April this year, seeks to make screening, early detection and treatment of selected illnesses more accessible within communities.
He said while the NHIS covers treatment at the district level and higher, the Ghana Medical Trust Fund is intended to assist patients with selected serious conditions that require specialised treatment beyond the scheme’s existing coverage.
“Together, these three programmes are intended to provide a more reliable continuum of care,” he said.
He further stressed the importance of an effective referral system and proper follow-up to ensure patients are transferred to the appropriate level of care without unnecessary delays as their medical needs develop.
On healthcare funding, President Mahama disclosed that the 2026 Budget had made about GH¢22.8 billion available to the Ministry of Health and its agencies. An additional GH¢11.3 billion had also been set aside for transfers to the National Health Insurance Fund, including GH¢2.26 billion for the Ghana Medical Trust Fund.
He said the decision to remove the cap on the National Health Insurance Fund was helping to ensure a more dependable flow of funds for investment in healthcare.
The President added that the NHIA now pays healthcare providers monthly for claims that have been submitted and verified. He also disclosed that service tariffs had gone up by 50 per cent since August this year.
He said the measures were aimed at helping health facilities plan their finances better, purchase essential medical supplies and maintain the delivery of services.
However, President Mahama urged stakeholders to remain alert to fraudulent activities and the misuse of funds, stressing the need to protect resources committed to the NHIS.
