The government, through the Ministry of Health, has announced a major policy intervention aimed at stabilising and strengthening the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), with an average 120 percent increase in tariffs paid to healthcare service providers starting in 2026.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, during the Government Accountability Series on Monday, December 1, 2025. He explained that the review responds to years of concerns from hospitals and clinics that NHIS tariffs had become inadequate and financially unsustainable.

The upward adjustment represents one of the most significant financial commitments to the NHIS since its inception, signalling the government’s recognition of the growing pressure on service providers—pressure that has, in many cases, led to reluctance to accept NHIS patients or a decline in service quality.

Akandoh emphasised that the substantial increase is both necessary and timely, saying it will help rebuild confidence among healthcare providers and enhance the overall effectiveness of the national insurance system.

“Beginning next year [2026], we’re going to increase the tariff in the NHIS to the service providers because it is something the service providers have been complaining about — that the tariffs we give them are unrealistic,” he said.

According to the minister, the decision to raise the average NHIS payment rate by 120 percent will significantly transform the landscape of healthcare delivery in Ghana.

“And so, the government has made the decision to increase the tariff by 120% on average, and I believe this is going to be a game-changer,” Akandoh added.