Healthcare providers to receive significantly more funds under major financing reforms
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has indicated that healthcare providers across the country are expected to receive substantially increased financial support beginning January 2026, as the Authority prepares to implement a projected 120% upward adjustment in service tariffs.
The NHIA emphasized that these tariff adjustments will be formally communicated and rolled out only after receiving approval from the Minister for Health, in accordance with statutory requirements governing the Scheme.
The adjustment — one of the most far-reaching reforms in Ghana’s healthcare financing in recent years — is expected to strengthen service delivery, improve provider sustainability, and enhance patient experience within the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Speaking on behalf of the NHIA Chief Executive Officer at a regional training session for health sector leaders in the Volta and Oti Regions, Dr. Senanu Kwesi Djokoto, Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Operations, commended the Independent Clinical Experts’ Group for its central role in producing realistic, evidence-based tariffs that reflect current service delivery costs.
Dr. Djokoto explained that although the headline increase is 180%, the actual effective impact on claims reimbursements will average at least 120%, depending on the case mix a healthcare facility manages.
He attributed this major financing breakthrough to Government’s bold decision to un-cap the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) — a policy shift that has unlocked GH¢3.4 billion in additional resources for improved healthcare delivery.
“The uncapping of the NHIF by His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama gives us the fiscal space to implement the reviewed tariffs, roll out the Free Primary Healthcare programme, and dedicate resources to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund for chronic disease support,”
— Dr. Senanu Kwesi Djokoto, Deputy CEO, NHIA.
Dr. Djokoto also expressed concern about the persistence of illegal charges in some health facilities. He stated that with the rollout of realistic tariffs, the NHIA will intensify its anti–illegal payment enforcement measures, noting that a taskforce commissioned by NHIA CEO, Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe, identified the alignment of tariffs to true service costs as one of the most effective tools for eliminating unauthorized fees.
Healthcare leaders at the session welcomed the upcoming tariff adjustments, describing them as timely, fair, and necessary.
A consultant for the World Bank on the tariff review process, Rev. Prof. Adukwei Hesse, described the new tariff structure as “comprehensive and consistent with global best practices.”
Similarly, Dr. Isaac Koranteng, Consultant Obstetrician at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, expressed optimism that the revised tariffs will significantly reduce illegal co-payments, restore provider confidence, and improve patient welfare.
The NHIA will continue regional engagements nationwide to ensure that health facility leaders and frontline staff fully understand and prepare for the implementation of the revised tariffs and related reforms.
