ABUJA, Nigeria — The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has deployed compliance officers to accredited hospitals nationwide to tackle illegal charges and improve service delivery for enrollees, the authority has confirmed.
The deployment is part of the NHIA’s broader strategy to protect enrollees from arbitrary charges, ensure transparency in healthcare service delivery, and strengthen accountability in the health insurance ecosystem. According to the NHIA, compliance officers are responsible for monitoring accredited health facilities to ensure that enrollees receive the full benefits of their health insurance coverage without incurring out-of-pocket expenses for services covered under the scheme.
The NHIA has expressed concern over reports of illegal charges being imposed on enrollees by some health facilities. The compliance officers have been tasked with identifying and addressing cases of overbilling, unauthorized charges, and non-compliance with the authority’s guidelines. They will also ensure that health facilities adhere to the NHIA’s standards of care and provide quality healthcare services to enrollees.
According to the NHIA, enrollees who encounter any issues with their health insurance coverage, including illegal charges or poor service delivery, can lodge complaints with NHIA offices, Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), or the NHIA call center. The authority has encouraged enrollees to report any violations to ensure prompt resolution and to hold erring facilities accountable.
The deployment of compliance officers aligns with the NHIA’s mandate to ensure financial access to healthcare for all Nigerians and legal residents. Under the National Health Insurance Authority Act of 2022, the NHIA is responsible for mobilising and pooling financial resources for the strategic purchasing of affordable and quality healthcare for all Nigerians.
The NHIA has been working to deepen health insurance penetration across the country and achieve universal health coverage. The authority has also been implementing various programmes to improve healthcare financing and protect vulnerable populations from the financial burden of healthcare. The deployment of compliance officers is part of these ongoing efforts to strengthen the health insurance system and ensure that enrollees receive quality care without facing financial hardship.
The authority has also been working to expand health insurance coverage, with over four million Nigerians enrolled in the past 18 months. The NHIA has also expanded the Vulnerable Group Fund and provided free treatment for thousands of women undergoing emergency cesarean sections. The authority continues to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and other stakeholders to build a sustainable healthcare financing system for Nigeria.
As the NHIA continues to implement its mandate, the deployment of compliance officers is expected to enhance the quality of healthcare services available to enrollees and protect them from illegal charges. The authority has urged health facilities to comply with its guidelines and to ensure that enrollees receive the full benefits of their health insurance coverage without incurring additional costs for covered services.
