Pregnant Women, Children Under 18 And Indigents Exempted From NHIS Renewal Contribution - C/R NHIS Director Reveals

 Mr. Fred Appiah

The Central Regional Director for National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Mr. Fred Appiah has disclosed that not all members of the NHIS are required to contribute to renew their membership card annually.

According to him pregnant women and indigents, plus physically challenged, mentally challenged and people identified by social welfare and declared as such who are exempted from paying a contribution are all exempted only if they register as members of the exempt category.

In an interview with Shaq Bee on Angel Broadcasting Network's (ABN) Cape Coast based Darling FM's morning show, the Director revealed that members of the exempt category will be required to provide their full name, date of birth, age, marital status, valid mobile phone numbers and Ghana card to register as exempt contributors.

He then encouraged every individual to register and renew their membership card for their own good since 1.2million population out of 2.8 in the Central Region have registered and advised them not to wait till they fall sick before they renew their card since it is a health insurance card rather not sick insurance card.

"Membership is valid for one year. Members will therefore be required to renew their membership every year, members are advised to renew their membership within three months of expiring with their membership/Ghana card and failure to comply by any member will have his or her card deactivated", he emphasized.

Mr. Augustine Owusu Frimpong who's the Central Regional PRO NHIS continued from his boss adding that members who fail to renew their membership three months after expiry shall be treated as defaulters and defaulters serve one month waiting period before accessing healthcare under NHIS, except for pregnant women and under five year olds.

Source: Anaafi Kokooto/Darling FM (Cape Coast)