Assessing the effect of National Health Insurance Scheme on healthcare utilization. A case study of residents within Upper Denkyira East Municipality of The Central Region.

Attempts to use insurance in low-middle income countries have been recognized as a powerful tool, towards the universal health coverage. However, continuous enrolment and utilization of insurance in these countries has been unsuccessful and unsustainable. Studies have confirmed that many people who are not covered under the NHIS are the informal workers and the poor who have difficulties in affording the annual premium payment. In addition, the increasing enrolment rate, the generalization of the scheme coupled with fairly constant base insurance revenue threatens the sustainability of finances for the programme. This could indicate a missing link in the understanding of factors impeding enrolment into the NHIS and utilization of healthcare. This study aimed at examining the effect of NHIS on health care utilization. A cross-sectional study design with quantitative methods was employed to collect data from 380 respondents in the Upper Denkyira East Municipality. The household were identified using simple random sampling. Data analysis involved descriptive and inferential statistics at 95% CI using STATA software version 12. There were more male than female respondents, with an average age of 34 years. The study found that 86.7% of respondents have ever registered for NHIS, yet 25.74% were inactive. About 80.3% do not have all their healthcare expenditure covered when using the NHIS such that 27.65% make additional payments. Slightly half of the respondents (53.12%) are not comfortable with the services of the providers when they use NHIS. About 51.6% found it difficult in getting NHIS card to see the doctor. Socio-demographic factors such as age, gender, education and marital status of respondents influence the NHIS status of respondents. Individuals who were 38 – 47 years (AOR 0.06 95% CI; 0.00, 0.77) and 58 years and above (AOR=0.01 95% CI; 0.00, 2 0.25) were respectively less likely to have their NHIS active. Consistently, being a female had a higher likelihood of having NHIS status active AOR=3.92 (95% CI; 1.21, 12.67). Different educational levels were consistently associated with the NHIS status of respondents as active. Respondents who were married consistently had higher odds (AOR=48.9) of having their NHIS status active. The study concluded that residents within the Denkyira Municipality do not have all their healthcare expenditure covered when using the NHIS and implies that respondents seem to be dissatisfied. It however concluded that NHIS is not enough to ensure financial access to healthcare among the residents. The common challenges associated with NHIS enrolment and usage appear to discourage most people from renewing their NHIS subscription. The study recommended that health care providers within the Municipality must be educated to provide prompt attention to all patients irrespective of whether registered with NHIS or not. Measures to strengthen the NHIS scheme to cover most expenses are urgently needed to improve the quality of care provided.

Source: KNUST