ENACTED by the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria—
PART I—ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE AUTHORITY
- There is established the National Health Insurance Authority (in this Act referred to as “the Authority”).
(2) The Authority—
(a) shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and an official
seal ;
(b) may sue and be sued in its corporate name ;
(c) may, for the performance of its functions under this Act acquire,
hold, or dispose of any moveable and immovable property ; and
(d) may enter into contract or any other transaction in pursuance of its
powers and functions under this Act.
- The objects of the Authority are to—
(a) promote, regulate and integrate health insurance schemes ;
(b) improve and harness private sector participation in the provision of
health care services ; and
(c) do such other things that will assist the authority in achieving Universal
Health Coverage to all Nigerians.
- The Authority shall—
(a) promote, integrate and regulate all health insurance schemes that
operate in Nigeria ;
(b) ensure that health insurance is mandatory for every Nigerian and
legal resident ;
(c) enforce the basic minimum package of health services for all Nigerians
across all health insurance schemes operating within the country, including Federal, States, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as well as private health insurance schemes ;
(d) promote, support and collaborate with States through State health
insurance schemes to ensure that Nigerians have access to quality health care that meets national health regulatory standards ;
(e) ensure the implementation and utilisation of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund as required under the National Health Act and any guidelines as approved by the Minister under that Act ;
(f ) grant accreditation and re-accreditation to Health Maintenance Organisations, Mutual Health Associations, Third Party Administrators and Health Care Facilities and monitor their performance ;
(g) subject to section 13, approve contributions to be made by members of the various health insurance schemes ;
(h) provide or require the establishment of mechanisms for receiving and resolving complaints by members of the schemes and Health Care Facilities, Health Maintenance Organisations, Mutual Health Associations and Third-Party Administrators ;
(i) make proposals to the Council for the formulation of policies on health insurance ;
(j) provide technical and other relevant support to State health insurance schemes ;
(k) seek and advocate for funds for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund ;
(l) provide and maintain Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure and capability for the integration of all data on health schemes in Nigeria including the State health insurance schemes ;
(m) undertake on its own or in collaboration with other relevant bodies a sustained public education on health insurance ;
(n) devise a mechanism for ensuring that the basic health care needs of indigents are adequately provided for ;
(o) maintain a register of licensed health insurance schemes and accredited health care facilities ;
(p) evaluate any new proposal in relation to extending the coverage of a health insurance scheme to any group of Nigerians ;
(q) in conjunction with the States, devise a mechanism for ensuring that the basic health care needs of vulnerable persons are adequately provided for ;
(r) accredit insurance companies, insurance brokers and banks desirous of participating in health insurance schemes under the Authority ;
(s) regulating all health insurance schemes in Nigeria in accordance with the provisions of this Act ;