Komfo Anokye Hospital calls for review of NHIS tariffs

The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) is calling for a review of tariffs paid by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to the hospital.

Hospital management said current tariffs paid for services rendered to NHIS subscribers were woefully inadequate.

In almost all instances, what the hospital spendt in treating patients far outweighed the amount paid by the health insurance authority.

Chief Executive, Professor Ohene Agyei said the situation had placed the hospital in dire financial difficulties and huge indebtedness.

KATH has been battling with financial challenges over the past few months, compelling the hospital to adopt measures while seeking government support to maintain their quality of service.

The hospital recently imposed a levy on patients to mobilize financial resources for the maintenance needs of the hospital's clinical directorates and units.

The levy was however withdrawn to allow for further consultation, following public outcry.

Speaking at the hospital's mid-year review meeting in Kumasi, Prof. Ohene Agyei said low tariffs paid by the NHIA was the major cause of the hospital's financial difficulties.

He said with over 85% of the hospital's clients being NHIS insured patients, the low tariffs had severely affected the revenue streams of the hospital as it was unable to recoup the cost incurred in service delivery.

Whilst the hospital bought consumables at the current market prices, it was reimbursed at old rates set by the NHIA years back.

For instance, it cost KATH Gh₵492 to treat Bone Marrow Hypoplasia in children under 12years; but the hospital was reimbursed Gh₵237 by NHIA.

KATH was also reimbursed Gh₵269 for Gynecological Laparatomy, when it actually spendt Gh₵423. The NHIA payed Gh₵343 for Laparotomy for gastric surgery when it cost KATH Gh₵1,372 to treat the ailment.

According to Prof. Ohene Agyei, the current disparity between the current cost of medical consumables and equipment on one hand and the rate of re-imbursement from the NHIA on the other hand was not in the interest of the hospital.

In the interim, Prof. Ohene Agyei said all directorates and units at the hospital have been tasked to identify new services that were not covered by the NHIA and render such services purely on the cash-and-carry basis.