The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has directed Health Management Organisations (HMOs) to approve treatment requests and issue authorisation codes within one hour, effective April 1, 2025.

The directive, announced in a statement by NHIA spokesperson Emmanuel Ononokpono, aims to curb delays in healthcare access and improve service delivery for enrollees.

Healthcare providers are expected to submit requests promptly, and where authorisation is delayed beyond the one-hour limit, they are permitted to proceed with treatment and inform the NHIA.

For emergencies, treatment may begin without prior authorisation, but codes must be obtained within 48 hours.

The NHIA warned of sanctions for any entity found deliberately stalling approvals and urged enrollees to report delays directly.

This reform aligns with the NHIA Act 2022, which mandates universal health coverage. As of December 2024, over 19.2 million Nigerians have enrolled in the scheme.

Health Minister Prof. Muhammad Pate recently confirmed a 90% increase in capitation fees and a 378% rise in fee-for-service payments to support providers under President Tinubu’s administration.