General News of Thursday, 9 June 2005

Source: GNA

NHIS to be computerized to stem false claims

Assin Fosu, (C/R) June 9, GNA- Mr Kofi Akwa, a resource person with the National Health Insurance Council on Tuesday announced that the National Health Insurance Scheme(NHIS) is to be computerized for easy detection of false claims. He said the Council, was also discussing ways of addressing the additional workload in the documentation and processing of claims, and urged service providers to endeavour to give of their best.

Mr Akwa was addressing a 'sensitisation workshop' organised by the Council for health services providers on claims management, under the NHIS, at Assin Fosu. He observed that, "the beginning of every scheme was bound to face problems", but stressed that with dedication, fairness and commitment, the initial problems could be surmounted. Mr Oppong Nkansah, manager for the Assin health insurance scheme, said the workshop was to enable health service providers to become conversant with the types of documents and methods of processing of claims.

Dr Nii Adjei Adjettey, Assin district director of health services said each health service centre had been given copies of the NHIS Act to enable the staff to be abreast with its content. Pastor John Apenkwa Brown, chairman of the Assinman Health Insurance Scheme asked all Ghanaians to endeavour to register with the scheme because "it had come to stay." Mr Abraham Mensah, district finance officer at the Assin North Assembly, called for adequate public education on the payment of premiums for the scheme.