The National Health Insurance Authority has announced an increase in healthcare expenditures, including a 60% increase in capitation and a 40% adjustment in Fee-For-Service.
This was revealed by the Director General of NHIA, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri at the critical stakeholders’ meeting on new tariffs, held in Abuja, in an attempt to maintain the health insurance scheme and improve service delivery, according to NAN.
Ohiri noted that providing inexpensive and high-quality healthcare to enrollees is the authority’s top objective. He asked stakeholders to prioritize Nigerians’ interests amid these changes.
The NHIA cites several reasons for the adjustments. The adjustments are driven by the escalating costs of healthcare delivery and the need to maintain the quality of care provided to beneficiaries,” Ohiri explained.
The capitation system, which entails prepaying a certain sum per patient for a set length of time, will be significantly boosted, giving healthcare practitioners greater resources to better manage patient care.
Ohiri stated that greater financing should allow healthcare providers to provide better services while also alleviating the financial burden created by rising operating costs.
However, he recognized that the fee increase may impose a greater financial strain on patients and employers who contribute to the health insurance program.
The capitation system, which involves a fixed amount of money per patient paid in advance for a defined period, has seen a substantial increase.
“This is intended to provide healthcare providers with more resources to manage patient care effectively,” said Ohiri.
Meanwhile, the Coordinator of the Africa Health Budget Network, Dr. Aminu Magashi remarked that this news represents a significant shift in the cost structure of health insurance in Nigeria.
Magashi said that while the goal is to improve healthcare services, it also underlines the difficulty of combining affordability and quality care.
He emphasized NHIA’s commitment to evaluating the impact of these modifications and making any adjustments as needed to ensure a strong healthcare system that fulfills the population’s requirements.
Nigerians have expressed mixed reactions to the new tariffs.
While some understand the need for the hike to ensure continued access to great healthcare, others are concerned about the financial impact on families and companies.
Fee-for-Service (FFS) fees refer to the payments made to healthcare providers based on the services rendered.
