Health Ministry is preparing to roll out a new national health insurance policy aimed at covering short-term visitors from abroad.
Named the “National Non-Resident Visitors Health Insurance,” this policy, developed in collaboration with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and other stakeholders, is scheduled to commence on July 1, 2024.
It specifically targets non-residents who visit Ghana for less than six months within a 12-month period.
During the policy’s launch event in Accra earlier this year, Health Minister Kwaku Agyeman-Manu emphasized its alignment with the National Health Insurance Act of 2012 (Act 852).
He highlighted that the Act mandates the provision of quality healthcare accessible to both residents and non-residents alike, ensuring they are covered under a national health insurance scheme for equitable access to healthcare and improved quality of life.
Mr. Agyeman-Manu emphasized that the implementation of this policy will lead to the establishment of the National Non-Resident Visitors Health Insurance Scheme (NNRVHIS).
“The scheme will be the main vehicle for the delivery of robust healthcare services to non-residents who will be travelling to Ghana.
“Taking into consideration the peculiar characteristics and nature of the NNRVHIS, a special purpose arrangement may be required to minimise the potential for risks,” he said.
“In line with this, a National Non-Resident Visitors Health Insurance Technology Platform (NNRVHITP) will be established to enable non-resident visitors to remotely log into a digital platform and apply accordingly in the comfort of their respective countries without challenges, thereby improving the user experience.”
Presently, the policy consists of six tiers structured around the length of time individuals spend in the country. It specifically caters to foreigners holding visas, with arrangements in place to accommodate those who need visas upon arrival.
However, ECOWAS members are not covered under the current framework. Plans are underway to integrate them into the scheme at a later date.