NHIS benefit package too generous \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The NHIA boss accepted that the Scheme is facing a number of challenges which basically has to do largely with the structure of the scheme \u201cand this is not the first time we are raising this\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He mentioned the benefit package the scheme is currently running is the main problem \u201cwhich appears to be too generous than what is in other countries.\u201d<\/p>\n The exemption regime of the scheme he said was also a major contributing factor to the problems the scheme was facing.<\/p>\n Under the current exemption regime, all persons under 18 years are exempted, all 70 years and above, all SSNIT contributors and SSNIT pensioners, all LEAP beneficiaries and until recently, all persons with disability and the very people whom the scheme is set up for \u2013 the poor are also exempted.<\/p>\n This in effect means almost 70 percent of the entire membership of the NHIS is exempted from the payment of premiums \u201cand this is an issue that we need to look at.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThese are all structural issues that are being worked on and the expectation is that perhaps, in the next couple of years, we will have a bit structured health insurance scheme,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Mr. Mensah disclosed that the Authority has had several stakeholder meetings on the matter to collectively think through the way forward and \u201cwe have gone beyond this to prescribe possible strategies to get out this.\u201d<\/p>\n Sympathy to service providers<\/strong><\/p>\n Mr. Mensah further mentioned that his outfit no longer has problems with regards to delays in the release of funds.<\/p>\n \u201cFunds are usually released three months in arrears and so at any point in time, the Health Insurance Scheme will owe its providers three months arrears,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n According to him, the NHIA only experiences problems when the payment of the money \u201cextends beyond the three months because the three months itself is a little burdensome for our providers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe sympathize with our providers and we want to assure them that we are not oblivious to the challenges they are going through and as we speak now, a lot of efforts are being done to ensure that some resources are made available to clear the arrears,\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By: Efua Idan Osam\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana![\"nhis](\"http:\/\/4cd.e16.myftpupload.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/nhis-new-logo.jpg\"){kind=logo}
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