NHIA Enforces 1-Hour Treatment Approval Rule to Boost Healthcare Delivery

NHIA Enforces 1-Hour Treatment Approval Rule to Boost Healthcare Delivery

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has directed all Health Management Organisations (HMOs) to approve patient treatment requests within one hour of receipt, effective from April 1, 2025. This move is designed to eliminate delays and enhance the efficiency of healthcare delivery for enrollees under the National Health Insurance Scheme.

According to NHIA spokesperson Emmanuel Ononokpono, the new mandate follows complaints over treatment authorisation delays and was officially adopted during a stakeholders' meeting in February. The reforms are now being strictly enforced to ensure smoother operations and a better experience for patients.

Under the new directive, HMOs are required to issue authorisation codes within one hour of receiving requests from hospitals or healthcare providers. If an HMO cannot meet the deadline, it must provide an explanation within the same time frame. Healthcare providers are also expected to submit requests promptly to avoid delays.