FAQs
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The Ghana Medical Trust Fund does not cover cost of treatment outside of Ghana.
About the Fund
The Ghana Medical Trust Fund was established by Parliament under Act 1144 to mobilise resources for specialised medical care for chronic diseases and to reduce the financial burden of conditions that are not fully covered under the NHIS.
No. It only covers treatment within Ghana.
No. It complements NHIS by covering specialised and high-cost treatments that are not currently covered by the NHIS.
Eligibility & Beneficiaries
Yes. Access depends on a medical assessment and referral under approved guidelines.
No. Support is not automatic. Every application must be assessed through the Trust Fund’s eligibility requirements.
Services & Support
Yes. GMTF currently has private, mission, quasi, and government facilities enlisted. Facilities that wish to join may apply accordingly.
Support is based on approved treatment packages. Some treatments may also require pre-authorisation from the Trust Fund before they can be carried out.
Depending on the approved package, GMTF support may include:
- Specialist consultations and care
- Diagnostic investigations
- Approved medicines and medical consumables
- Hospital admission and ward-based care
- Surgical procedures
- Other specialised treatments
- Approved referrals
- Chronic disease treatment programmes
Yes. Each disease and treatment phase has a defined maximum number of routine consultations, investigations and treatment sessions. These limits are based on the expected clinical pathway and should not be interpreted as the maximum amount a patient can ever receive over their lifetime from GMTF.
Not in every case. The Trust Fund will pay only for services included in the approved benefit package and authorised for the patient. Patients should ask the approved provider to explain what has been authorised before treatment begins.
No. Transport, accommodation for relatives, meals for carers and similar non-clinical personal expenses are not included as routine benefits by the Trust Fund. Patients should not assume that these costs will be paid unless the Trust Fund has provided separate written authorisation.
No. Payments are made directly to approved hospitals, pharmacies, laboratories and other participating providers after valid claims have been submitted and verified.
Application Process
Support is subject to the approved package, applicable tariffs, utilisation limits and available resources. The amount approved may therefore differ according to the condition, treatment plan and services required.
Application to the GMTF can only be made by a specialist on behalf of the patient. Patients cannot apply directly to the Fund on their own behalf.
The process generally follows these steps:
- The patient visits a health facility.
- A specialist assesses the patient and makes a referral to GMTF.
- A patient navigation officer forwards the application to the GMTF Secretariat.
- GMTF assesses the application and makes a decision.
- Feedback is provided to the patient and referring specialist.
- Where approval is granted, the patient returns to the specialist or designated facility for treatment.
Applicants will receive a decision within 14 days after a complete application has been received. Incomplete applications or cases requiring further clinical review may take longer.
The patient will receive formal notice of the Fund’s decision by SMS text message. Patients should not assume that treatment has been approved until they receive confirmation through the approved process.
Approval applies to the condition, treatment pathway, period and services authorised by GMTF. Additional treatment outside the approved plan, a change in treatment, or services beyond the permitted limits may require further authorisation.
Service Providers
GMTF is a national Trust Fund. It works with regional, teaching, specialist, mission, and quasi-government hospitals in every region, as well as some private health facilities, to improve access to specialised care across the country.
However, not every facility is certified to provide every GMTF service. A patient may therefore be referred to another facility that has the required specialist capacity.
No. GMTF-supported services must generally be obtained from facilities that have been assessed, approved and enlisted by the Trust Fund for the relevant service.
The Trust Fund is developing its public directory of approved providers. Patients should confirm a facility’s status directly with the GMTF Patient Navigation Officer in their region or through their referring specialist.
The following facilities currently have GMTF certification:
- Greater Accra Region: Greater Accra Regional Hospital; Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital; 37 Military Hospital; University of Ghana Medical Centre
- Central Region: Cape Coast Teaching Hospital; Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital
- Western Region: Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital
- Western North Region: Sefwi Wiaso Government Hospital
- Eastern Region: Eastern Regional Hospital
- Volta Region: Ho Teaching Hospital; Volta Regional Hospital
- Ashanti Region: Kumasi South Hospital; Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital
- Bono Region: Sunyani Teaching Hospital
- Bono East Region: Holy Family Hospital
- Upper West Region: Upper West Regional Hospital
- Upper East Region: Upper East Regional Hospital
- Northern Region: Tamale Teaching Hospital; Northern Regional Hospital
- North East Region: Baptist Medical Centre
- Private facilities: International Maritime Hospital; Euracare Specialist Hospital; Trust Hospital; St. Michael’s Hospital; Aisha Hospital
This list may be updated periodically. Patients must confirm that a facility remains certified and is authorised for the specific service they require before attending for planned treatment.
No. Medicines financed by the Trust Fund should be obtained through approved and enlisted pharmaceutical service providers, in accordance with the patient’s authorisation and the GMTF Medicines List.
Governance & Accountability
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the management of the Trust Fund.
The Administrator heads the Secretariat of the Trust Fund and is responsible for its day-to-day administration and for ensuring the implementation of the decisions of the Board of Trustees.
Complaints, Appeals & Data Protection
You should contact your Patient Navigation Officer or GMTF directly for clarification and assistance.
The applicant should receive an explanation or notice of the decision. Where permitted, the applicant may submit additional information or request a review through the Trust Fund’s established appeal process.
Yes. Applicants, beneficiaries and service providers may appeal eligible decisions through the specialist who made the initial application.
Complaints may be submitted through a patient navigation officer or directly to GMTF through its official contact channels. The complainant should provide relevant details, including the health facility, date of service and nature of the complaint, but should avoid sharing confidential medical information through unofficial channels.
Requirements
Yes. Eligibility requirements include active NHIS membership. Persons whose membership has expired should renew it before applying.
The initial package covers the following eight cancers:
Childhood cancers (patients under 18 years):
- Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
- Burkitt Lymphoma
- Wilms Tumour (also known as Nephroblastoma)
- Retinoblastoma
- Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Adult cancers (patients 18 years and above):
- Cervical cancer
- Breast cancer
- Prostate cancer
Yes. The broader mandate of GMTF includes cancers, cardiovascular diseases, kidney diseases, stroke, diabetes and other chronic non-communicable diseases approved by the Board of Trustees.
However, the GMTF package is being implemented in phases. This means that although a disease may fall within the Trust Fund’s overall mandate, GMTF may not yet have approved and begun financing a full treatment package for that disease.
Applicants may be required to provide:
- A valid Ghana Card or other approved national identification
- Evidence of active NHIS membership
- A medical referral letter
- A diagnosis or medical report from a certified practitioner
- Relevant laboratory, imaging or pathology results
- A proposed treatment plan
- A Multidisciplinary Team recommendation, where required
- A completed GMTF application form
Additional documents may be requested depending on the condition and proposed treatment.
Pre-Authorisation & Emergency Care
Seek immediate care from the nearest appropriate health facility. Do not delay emergency treatment while waiting for a GMTF application decision. The treating facility may subsequently advise on any applicable GMTF procedures.
Pre-authorisation is approval that the healthcare provider must obtain from GMTF before providing certain services. It confirms that the proposed service is clinically justified and eligible for reimbursement.
The healthcare provider submits the request through the GMTFCare application, together with the clinical justification and supporting documentation. The patient is not expected to prepare or submit the technical request personally.
GMTF is expected to respond within 72 hours of receiving a complete pre-authorisation request. The period may be affected if the provider has not submitted all the required clinical information.
The patient should receive the urgent care required. Where pre-authorisation could not reasonably be obtained before an emergency service, the provider must notify GMTF within 48 hours and submit the relevant clinical documents and justification.
Payments & Billing
No. Bills paid without prior GMTF authorisation will not be reimbursed by the Trust Fund. The patient or provider should obtain the required approval before receiving a non-emergency service. Any exception should be confirmed directly with the Trust Fund.
This will depend on the treatment package approved for the patient. GMTF will pay only for authorised services within the applicable tariffs and limits. The provider should explain any service or cost that is not covered before treatment is provided.
A certified provider should not charge an approved beneficiary the difference between its normal price and the GMTF reimbursement rate for an expressly covered and authorised service. The GMTF tariff is the amount the Trust Fund pays the provider for that covered service.
Donations & Giving
Yes. The Trust Fund encourages support from individuals, businesses, development partners, and other organisations. Whether as a one-time gift or a regular contribution, every donation helps improve access to specialised healthcare for people living with chronic diseases. Donations can be made through the Fund’s authorised channels. Please verify payment details below, or on the official GMTF website, before making a donation.
Direct Bank Transfer — donations can be made into the Fund’s official bank accounts:
- National Investment Bank: Ghana Medical Trust Fund, 1135105341202, Airport Branch
- First Atlantic Bank: Ghana Medical Trust Fund, 2613171101016, Head Office
Cheque or Banker’s Draft:
Submit your cheque or banker’s draft to our Secretariat, made payable to “Ghana Medical Trust Fund.”
Mobile Money (MoMo):
Quick and convenient donations via MTN Mobile Money. Dial the short code *255# and follow the prompts to complete your donation.
Donation options are also available on our website: www.gmtf.gov.gh
Every donation to the Trust Fund qualifies for 100% tax deductibility. This applies to both cash contributions and donations of medical equipment or other eligible assets, making it easier for individuals and organisations to support a healthier Ghana.
Fraud Prevention & Safety
Members of the public should:
- Use only official GMTF communication channels
- Confirm that the facility is certified for the required service
- Avoid paying anyone who promises guaranteed approval
- Never share an NHIS One-Time Password with an unauthorised person
- Ask for an official receipt for every authorised payment
- Confirm any unexpected payment request with GMTF
- Report suspicious persons or messages to the Trust Fund
How can I contact the Ghana Medical Trust Fund?
The public may contact the Fund through the following official channels.
Address
Ghana Medical Trust Fund, 5A Second Circular Road, Cantonments, Accra
Telephone
+233 (0)34 229 5105
Email
ask@gmtf.gov.gh
Working Hours
Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.