The Federal Government is currently exploring the possibility of increasing the fixed payments made to hospitals for health insurance services ¹. This announcement was made by Dr. Lekan Ewenla, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ultimate Health, a prominent Health Management Organisation in the country ¹. The last review of these payments was conducted in 2014, and the law requires that reviews be carried out every 24 months to account for inflation and other economic changes ¹.
The capitation payments, which are the focus of the potential review, are predetermined monthly payments made by health insurance companies to medical providers for each patient enrolled in a health plan ¹. The review is expected to address the current situation, which has led to complaints from some hospitals ¹.
Dr. Ewenla emphasized that the upward review is necessary to account for inflationary trends and ensure that hospitals can continue providing services ¹. He also noted that the review is long overdue, as the last one was conducted in 2014 instead of the scheduled review in 2007 ¹.
The potential increase in payments to hospitals for health insurance services is a significant development in the country’s healthcare system. It reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring access to quality healthcare services for all citizens. The review is expected to have a positive impact on the healthcare sector, and stakeholders are eagerly awaiting the outcome.
In a related development, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ultimate Health Services, Angela Ajala, announced that the organisation has recapitalised its capital base from N400m to N1bn ¹. This move is in line with the provisions of the National Health Insurance Act 2022 and demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to expanding its services beyond Nigeria.
The announcement by the Federal Government to review upward payments to hospitals for health insurance services is a welcome development in the healthcare sector. It is expected to have a positive impact on the quality of healthcare services provided to citizens and demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring access to quality healthcare for all.
