NHIA Increases Healthcare Provider Payments by 373%

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has announced a 373% increase in reimbursements to healthcare providers under its fee-for-service arrangement, aimed at improving service quality and restoring public confidence in Nigeria's health insurance system. Dr Kelechi Ohiri, the Director-General of NHIA, disclosed this during a joint quarterly media briefing with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.

The increase, effective from April 1, 2025, follows an actuarial review of existing healthcare tariffs that had not been revised in ten years. The review also resulted in a doubling of capitation payments to healthcare providers.

Ohiri emphasized that adequate reimbursement is crucial for enhancing healthcare quality, addressing complaints about patients being denied services covered by their insurance. Additional measures include a directive for hospitals to commence treatment if authorization codes are not issued within one hour and a strengthened complaints-resolution mechanism, resolving 87% of complaints within 48 hours.

The NHIA has also deployed personnel to 19 high-volume healthcare facilities to assist enrollees.