About Us

About BNSHIA

The Benue State Health Insurance Agency (BNSHIA) was established by Law No. 8 of 2018. The Agency:

• Is a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal;
• May sue and be sued in its corporate name;
• May acquire, hold or dispose of any movable or immovable property for the purpose of its function under this Law.

The principal objectives of the Agency shall be to promote, regulate, supervise and ensure the effective administration of the Benue State Health Insurance Scheme. The aim of BNSHIA is to facilitate and accelerate attainment of universal health coverage through promoting, regulating, supervising, implementing and ensuring the effective administration of the Health Insurance Scheme. The Agency is to strategically target the formal and informal sectors of the state by mobilizing all stakeholders to operate in a synergistic manner through a sustainable healthcare financing system that is economically viable, culturally and religiously acceptable to the residents of the State.

Functions of BNSHIA

The Agency shall be responsible for –

• Ensuring the effective implementation of the policies and procedures of the health scheme;
• Issuing appropriate regulations and guidelines, as approved by the Board, to maintain the viability of the scheme
• The management of the scheme in accordance with the provisions of the Law
• The implementation of the minimum benefit package as defined under the National Health Act;
• The definition of benefit packages to be provided under Health Plans as provided for in Section 14 of the Law;
• Registering NHIS accredited Health Maintenance Organizations, State accredited Health Care Facilities and other relevant institutions.
• Classifying healthcare facilities and providers in a manner that shall help improve health outcomes in the State as required under the National Health Act
• Determining the percentage of the premiums from private health plans that shall be payable as a cross subsidy to the Fund for the purpose of financing the Health Equity plan for the poor and vulnerable.
• Approving format of contracts for the TPAs and all health Care Providers.
• Carrying out public awareness and education on the care providers.
• Promoting the development of Mutual Health Associations for wider participation in the scheme.
• Determining provider payment mechanisms due to health care providers.
• Exchanging information and data with the National Health Insurance Scheme, State Health Management Information System, relevant financial institutions Development Partners, NGOs and other relevant bodies.
• Determining provider payment mechanisms due to health care providers.
• Ensuring human resources development in the Agency
• Receive and investigate complaints of impropriety leveled against any TPA, Health Care Provider (HCP) and other relevant institutions and ensure appropriate sanctions are given.
• Carrying out such other activities as are necessary or expedient for the purpose of achieving the objectives of the Agency under this Law.