The Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA) has warned desk officers at accredited healthcare facilities against overbilling enrollees and engaging in practices capable of undermining the state’s health insurance scheme.
The Executive Secretary of ASHIA, Augustine Ezeka, issued the warning during the agency’s quarterly meeting with desk officers in Awka.
Ezeka urged the officers to uphold transparency, professionalism and accountability, stressing that they serve as representatives of the agency at their respective healthcare facilities.
He said their responsibility includes ensuring that enrollees receive all services covered under the scheme without being subjected to unnecessary financial burdens.
According to him, sharp practices by desk officers and healthcare providers could damage the reputation of an agency that has worked over the years to build public confidence in the health insurance system.
“Some of you are indirectly tarnishing the name of the agency we have spent years to establish,” Ezeka warned.
He directed desk officers to ensure that enrollees are charged strictly in accordance with the approved drug tariff, warning against unauthorised charges during the provision of healthcare services.
The ASHIA boss also urged healthcare providers to give proper attention to beneficiaries covered under the Global Fund programme, stressing that no enrollee should face discrimination or stigmatisation while accessing medical care.
He said every beneficiary deserved to receive healthcare services in an environment characterised by dignity, respect and fairness.
On the issue of pre-authorisation codes, Ezeka instructed desk officers to provide accurate and complete diagnoses when submitting requests for approval.
He warned that incomplete or incorrect information could result in the denial of requests and cause unnecessary delays in beneficiaries accessing healthcare services.
Ezeka urged all desk officers and healthcare providers to put the interests of enrollees first and ensure strict compliance with ASHIA guidelines, as part of efforts to strengthen confidence in the state’s health insurance programme.
