NHIA intensifies enforcement against illegal charges following GHS, CHAG directives

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) is ramping up efforts to clamp down on unauthorized charges levied by healthcare facilities on National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) members. This decision follows guidance from the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), urging healthcare providers to adhere to NHIS guidelines and cease billing members extra fees for covered services.

In a statement released on November 12, 2026, the NHIA expressed support for these directives as a crucial step to safeguard members and rebuild trust in the NHIS. Directives were issued on November 9 and 11, aligning with President John Dramani Mahama's instructions at the 68th Annual General Conference of the Ghana Medical Association, which called for NHIA to bolster monitoring, conduct facility inspections, and penalize institutions imposing illegal charges.

The NHIA commended CHAG's mandate for member facilities to adopt NHIA-approved tariffs, update their billing systems, and enhance internal compliance checks. It emphasized that the GHS's directive similarly stresses healthcare providers' duty to fulfill their obligations under the Scheme. To enforce compliance, the NHIA pledged to increase audits, investigations, taskforce operations, and collaborate with healthcare provider leadership, regional health directorates, and other stakeholders to monitor billing practices.

These enforcement actions coincide with broader government measures to bolster the NHIS's financial health, such as uncapping the National Health Insurance Fund, monthly reimbursements of vetted claims, and a near-50% increase in NHIS service tariffs since August 2026. The Authority noted that illegal co-payments and additional out-of-pocket charges impose undue financial strain on vulnerable citizens and erode public confidence in the Scheme.

Therefore, NHIA reminded members that they have the right to receive covered services without paying unauthorized extra amounts. Any such demands should be reported to the NHIA Call Centre at 6447, 054 444 6447, or 0302 74 6447, via WhatsApp at 0501 169 8778, or through the Authority's social media channels. The NHIA expressed gratitude to GHS Director-General Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea and CHAG Executive Director Dr. Peter Yeboah for their dedication to resolving this issue, reaffirming its commitment to eliminating unlawful charges and ensuring NHIS members receive their entitled services without added financial burdens.