Is Ghana's NHIS free for someone over 70? What it covers and how to register

Does someone over 70 pay anything for NHIS?

A person above 70 is exempt from NHIS contributions under section 29(h) of the National Health Insurance Act 2012 (Act 852). The same section also exempts children, people needing antenatal and delivery care, people with mental disorders, indigents, SSNIT pensioners and SSNIT contributors.

The NHIA's membership page, checked in November 2026, says people in the exempt category, which includes persons above 70, do not pay any fees. In February 2023 MyJoyOnline reported that the President had approved an NHIA Free Elderly Care Policy for people aged 70 and above, exempting them from premium and processing fees and waiving the 30-day waiting period; before it, they paid a processing fee of GH₵8 to register and GH₵5 to renew.

People above 70 do not serve the one-month waiting period that applies to most new members, according to the NHIA's FAQs. Replacing a lost card means filling in a replacement form and paying the processing fee "if applicable".

When Free Primary Healthcare launched, NHIS registration and renewal were free for everyone from 15 April to 31 May 2026, with no processing fee, premium or waiting period, according to an NHIA announcement reported by Pulse Ghana.

What does the NHIS cover for an older person?

The NHIA says the NHIS covers over 95% of the disease conditions that affect people in Ghana, across outpatient care, inpatient care, oral health, eye care, maternity care and all emergencies.

Outpatient care includes consultations and reviews for conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, rheumatism and eye infections, along with laboratory tests, x-rays, ultrasound scans, day surgery and outpatient physiotherapy. Medicines are paid for only if they are on the NHIS Medicines List.

• Other exclusions on the NHIA list: heart and brain surgery other than after accidents.
• Echocardiography and angiography.
• Rehabilitation other than physiotherapy.
• Diagnosis and treatment abroad.
• Medical examinations for employment, visas or driving licences.
• Mortuary services.

What changed in 2026: Free Primary Healthcare and dialysis

Ghana launched its Free Primary Healthcare policy on 15 April 2026, starting in 150 underserved districts, with nationwide rollout planned between 2027 and 2028, according to the NHIA.

Under the policy, basic illnesses such as malaria are treated free at designated primary-level facilities, including CHPS compounds, polyclinic public health units, health kiosks, mobile clinics and outreach points, and routine screening for hypertension and diabetes is a key part. Access requires proof of citizenship or legal residency, such as the Ghana Card.

The President said the policy complements the NHIS rather than replacing it: more complex cases are referred and covered under the NHIS, and he urged people to keep renewing their membership. The NHIA said in July 2026 that more than 26 million people were enrolled, a coverage rate of 76%.

The NHIA benefits page still lists dialysis for chronic kidney failure as excluded. In 2024 a six-month pilot provided free dialysis on the NHIS for patients above 60 and under 18, followed by a policy announced for all end-stage kidney patients from 1 December 2024, the Ghanaian Times reported. At the April 2026 launch the President announced a Ghana Medical Trust Fund, "Mahama Cares", to support treatment of advanced chronic diseases, including kidney failure requiring dialysis.

How do you register or renew NHIS for someone over 70?

New members register at an NHIS district office or through the MyNHIS app; at the office an officer interviews the applicant to decide whether they are fee-paying or in the exempt group.

Enrolment needs the person's full name, date of birth, marital status, mobile number, residential address and Ghana Card details, and the officer takes a photograph and biometric information. Membership is valid for 12 months and is deactivated if it is not renewed.

Renewal can be done at a district office, by dialling *929# or in the MyNHIS app, although the NHIA FAQ describes digital renewal as being for fee-paying members. To check whether a card is valid, dial *929#, choose option 1, select NHIS Card and enter the membership number.

The NHIS call centre is on 054-444-6447 or 030-274-6447, and on the shortcode 6447 on two of Ghana's mobile networks, according to the NHIA.

• Check the date of birth on the person's Ghana Card
• Take the Ghana Card to the nearest NHIS district office
• Ask to be registered in the exempt category for persons above 70
• Ask whether any processing fee applies and keep the receipt
• Write down the 8-digit membership number
• Ask how an exempt member renews: office, *929# or MyNHIS
• Check the card is active by dialling *929# and choosing option 1
• Set a reminder to renew before the 12 months end

How can family abroad help with NHIS?

Family abroad can keep a record of the person's membership number and renewal date, and the NHIA says the *929# service can be used from any phone network to check validity or renew.

The MyNHIS app can register and renew cards from any location, and users can create a family group and renew several cards at once, an NHIA regional officer said in December 2023. He said it is illegal for anyone to charge extra for registering or renewing another person's card through the app, beyond the normal fees charged on the app, then GH₵26 to register and GH₵23 to renew.

In July 2026 the NHIA's Bono regional director said there is no co-payment under the NHIS, that money collected illegally from members would be refunded, and urged members to report providers who charge illegal fees.

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