NHIA introduces instant health care for persons 70 years and above

The Governing Board and Management of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has announced the introduction of instant healthcare for all persons aged 70 years and above across the country.

According to the authority, it was in line with government‘s objective of accelerating the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and bridging the access inequity gap.

Revealing this in a press releaseon Monday and copied to the Ghanaian Times, NHIA said the policy would eliminate the one-month waiting period for all subscribers of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)aged 70 years and above.

“All the elderly, aged 70 years and above, who register onto the scheme can visit accredited NHIS hospitals and all their health needs will be taken care of,” it said.

In reference to the scheme since its inception 19 years ago, the release said it introduced a mandatory one-month waiting period for all categories of members, except pregnant women and children under 5 years.

Explaining further, it said the policy prevented persons who were 70 years and above from accessing instant healthcare on enrolling onto the scheme while curbing the abuse of the scheme by potential free-riders.

In view of that, all persons aged 70 years and above from Monday were exempted from the one-month waiting period on enrolment onto the scheme.

“By this, persons aged 70 years and above who enroll onto the scheme will have instant healthcare and shall access the full benefit package from NHIS accredited health service providers” it said.

The release also highlighted that government of Ghana had made substantial progress towards its goal of UHC care through innovations to expand the operations of the scheme.

“Since the establishment of the NHIS in 2003 to promote access to equitable and quality healthcare for all residents, substantial progress and financial sustainability had been ensured,” the release said.

BY ANITA ANKRAH