The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has paid GH¢382.85 million in claims to healthcare providers for services rendered to National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) members, in its September 2026 claims payment.
The latest release brings the total amount paid to providers so far in 2026 to GH¢2.115 billion, according to figures announced by the Authority on Tuesday, October 6.
The payment covers public, private and mission (faith-based) health facilities across the country. Public facilities received the biggest share, at just over half of the total.
NHIA Chief Executive Officer Dr Victor Asare Bampoe said timely payment of claims is important for maintaining the confidence of both healthcare providers and NHIS members.
Background: NHIA Pays GH¢382.85 Million in Claims to Health Facilities, 2026 Total Hits GH¢2.115 Billion
NHIA claims payment rises by about GH¢101 million
The September payment is higher than the previous release. In late August, the NHIA paid GH¢281.66 million in claims, disbursed on August 25 and 27, 2026.
That puts the new payment about GH¢101.19 million above the August release, an increase of roughly 36%.
At the time of the August payment, the Authority’s year-to-date total stood at GH¢1.64 billion. It has now crossed GH¢2.1 billion.
How the GH¢382.85m NHIS claims payment was shared
Here is how the latest payment was distributed by facility type:
- Public health facilities: GH¢197.32 million (51.54%)
- Private health facilities: GH¢128.95 million (33.68%)
- Mission health facilities: GH¢56.58 million (14.78%)
- Total: GH¢382.85 million
NHIA claims: August vs September payment compared
All three categories of providers received more in the latest release than in the August payment:
- Total payment: GH¢281.66m (August) vs GH¢382.85m (September) – up GH¢101.19m
- Public facilities: GH¢122.73m vs GH¢197.32m – up GH¢74.59m
- Private facilities: GH¢104.5m vs GH¢128.95m – up GH¢24.45m
- Mission facilities: GH¢54.42m vs GH¢56.58m – up GH¢2.16m
- Year-to-date total: GH¢1.64bn vs GH¢2.115bn
The public sector’s share of the payment also rose, from 43.58% in August to 51.54% in the latest release.
NHIS tariff increase of 50% and claims verification
The payment comes after the NHIA increased service tariffs by 50% from August to support healthcare facilities and reduce financial barriers to care. The increase is being phased in, with full implementation expected by October 2026, as reported by MyJoyOnline.
Alongside the tariff review, the Authority introduced a One-Time Attendance Code (OTAC), a digital system to confirm that patients actually attended facilities and received the services being claimed. It is being piloted in the Ahafo and Western North regions before a nationwide rollout.
The NHIA has said that about 15% of claims are estimated to be ineligible, costing the scheme roughly GH¢400 million a year.
What the NHIA payment means for NHIS members
For NHIS cardholders, prompt payment to facilities is meant to reduce cases where patients are asked to pay extra for services the scheme already covers.
Dr Bampoe cautioned health facilities against charging NHIS members for covered services, saying that “prompt claims payment remains central to the Authority’s operational reforms.”
The NHIA says it wants to end out-of-pocket payments and co-payments at the point of care. Members who are charged for covered services can raise the matter with the Authority through the official channels on the NHIS website.
What it means for hospitals and clinics
Healthcare providers depend on NHIS reimbursements to buy medicines and consumables and to keep services running. Delays in claims payment have in the past led some facilities to demand cash from insured patients.
The steady payments are also meant to keep private providers on the scheme, since they received about a third of the latest release. GhanaTrends has previously reported on how the scheme is expanding coverage, including the introduction of free dialysis sessions under the NHIS.
What happens next
The NHIA is expected to continue its regular claims payments as the 50% tariff increase reaches full implementation in October.
The OTAC verification system is also set to move beyond its pilot regions, which the Authority says will improve transparency and reduce fraudulent claims.
Key details at a glance
- Latest NHIA claims payment: GH¢382.85 million
- Total paid to providers in 2026 so far: GH¢2.115 billion
- Public facilities: GH¢197.32m (51.54%)
- Private facilities: GH¢128.95m (33.68%)
- Mission facilities: GH¢56.58m (14.78%)
- Previous payment (August 25 and 27): GH¢281.66 million
- NHIS service tariffs raised by 50%, phased in from August 2026
FAQs
How much has NHIA paid in claims in 2026?
The NHIA has paid GH¢2.115 billion in claims to healthcare providers so far in 2026, after its latest release of GH¢382.85 million.
Can a hospital charge me if I have NHIS?
The NHIA says facilities should not charge NHIS members for services covered by the scheme. Dr Victor Asare Bampoe has cautioned providers against such charges.
When did the NHIS tariff increase start?
The 50% increase in NHIS service tariffs began in August 2026 in phases, with full implementation expected by October 2026.
In summary, the NHIA’s GH¢382.85 million claims payment is its largest recent release, pushing 2026 disbursements to GH¢2.115 billion. With higher tariffs and new claims verification, the Authority says it wants providers paid on time and NHIS members treated without extra charges.
