Sunyani MHIS pays over GHȼ10m claims

The Sunyani Municipal Health Insurance Scheme (SMHIS) paid claims totaling GHȼ10,219,869.57 to service providers in the municipality, last year.

This was about GHȼ531,970.00 less the year 2014 total of GHȼ10,751,839.63.

Mr. Patrick Kuagbenu, the Municipal Manager, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the reduction in the claims payment came on the back of increased operational efficiency of the scheme.

He said the introduction of the biometric membership system (BMS) had significantly helped to remove impersonation.

The situation where two or more people could use the same card to access healthcare services was no longer there.

Mr. Kuagbenu said active membership of the scheme during the period stood at 103,576, which represented 77 per cent of the projected target of 134,813.

He put the number of people freely registered for the NHIS in the area at 15,464 and said the beneficiaries included the poor, the needy, the vulnerable and prisoners.

In all, 47 health facilities in the municipality have been accredited by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIS).

Mr. Kuagbenu spoke of the determination to intensify the membership drive to enable more people to access quality healthcare.

SMHIS would continue to ensure transparency and efficiency in its operations, he added.

Source: GNA