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NHIS releases three months payment for enrolees’ care to help contain coronavirus

To guarantee uninterrupted access to healthcare services by enrolees of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in these challenging times, the scheme has effected the immediate release...

To guarantee uninterrupted access to healthcare services by enrolees of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in these challenging times, the scheme has effected the immediate release of funds for the payment of capitation and fee-for-service for its enrolees for the second quarter (April to June) of 2020.

Head, Media and Public Relations, Ayo Osinlu, told journalists​ that by this timely action, NHIS has ensured that no enrolee will be turned back from any facility for non-payment of appropriate fees by any Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO).

Osinlu said the Scheme took the step to ensure that the looming threat of COVID-19 is not compounded for the enrolees by inability to access healthcare services at the points of need.

Responding further to the situation, NHIS has issued guidelines to the HealthCare Facilities (HCFs) and the Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) on certain actions to be taken towards protecting the interests of the enrollees in the current situation.

These guidelines contain concrete provisions to prevent service failure, and also ensure that enrolees enjoy prompt and effective healthcare services inspite of general restrictions and outright lockdown in certain parts of the country.

The guidelines gave clear order to healthcare providers to ensure the safety and protection of their personnel against COVID-19 infection, provide timely and appropriate level of care for all NHIS enrolees as may be required, and ensure that no NHIS enrollee is denied access to care.

It also directed the providers to note that all NHIS and HMO Call Centres are open 24hours daily. They are also to ensure the issuance of authorization codes and resolution of all other issues, ensure prompt report of all cases of denial of authorization codes by HMOs, as well as maintain high index of suspicion and promptly report suspected cases to NCDC or State Ministries of Health.

On the other hand, the guidelines for the HMOs instructed them to also ensure the safety and protection of their personnel against COVID-19 infection, ensure prompt payment of capitation and fee-for-service to all healthcare facilities, while also ensuring the provision of timely and appropriate level of care for all NHIS enrolees by the healthcare facilities.

The HMOs are, by the guidelines, required to ensure that no NHIS enrolee is denied access to care, while their call centres are to be open 24 hours daily, for prompt issuance of authorization codes and to resolve all other issues that may arise.

They are equally directed to log all cases of issued or denied requests for authorization code by healthcare facilities.

Meanwhile, NHIS will continue to closely monitor the situation, and may revise the guidelines in the light of new developments.

The Scheme has in the meantime advised all its stakeholders to adhere strictly to Local, State and Federal Public Health recommendations to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

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