The Joint Learning Network for Universal Health Coverage systematically documents the reforms of its member countries and other countries that have expanded health coverage through demand-side financing. The case studies contained in these pages are brief, comparative and modular in nature, describing the key highlights and technical features of each program.
Compare various dimensions of country reform efforts using our interactive tool.
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| Estonia: Estonian Health Insurance Fund |
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The EHIF covers a broad range of services, including family physicians services, in- and out-patient care, long-term care, rehabilitation, and prescription drugs. Children through 19 years of age are also eligible for free dental care, including preventive and curative services. Meanwhile, adults receive partial reimbursement for dental care. Read full sectionThe EHIF covers a broad range of services, including family physicians services, in- and out-patient care, long-term care, rehabilitation, and prescription drugs. Children through 19 years of age are also eligible for free dental care, including preventive and curative services. Meanwhile, adults receive partial reimbursement for dental care. All Estonians register on a family doctor’s practice list. Doctors can refuse to add a patient if the patient lives outside the practice region or when the practice list is full. In 2005 only 13% of patients changed doctors and these cases were primarily due to a change in residence. Family doctors are required to hold a minimum of 20 visiting hours per week and the practice must remain open at least eight hours per day. Patients must get access to their doctor within one day for acute problems and within three days for chronic conditions. If certain services are not available in Estonia, patients can seek care abroad. In non-urgent situations, patients must seek approval from the EHIF. The service must be medically justifiable and must be proven efficacious with a probability of success of at least 50%. In order to add new benefits to be covered under EHIF, the managerial board conducts an evaluation process and recommends services to the supervisory board, which then proposes them to the Ministry of Social Affairs where they are reviewed and sent to the government for approval once per year. There are four criteria for including or excluding services from the benefits package:
Estonian Health Insurance FundBenefits package Types of Benefits: Comprehensive The EHIF covers a broad range of services, including family physicians services, in- and out-patient care, long-term care, rehabilitation, and prescription drugs. Children through 19 years of age are also eligible for free dental care, including preventive and curative services. Meanwhile, adults receive partial reimbursement for dental care. All Estonians register on a family doctor’s practice list. Doctors can refuse to add a patient if the patient lives outside the practice region or when the practice list is full. In 2005 only 13% of patients changed doctors and these cases were primarily due to a change in residence. Family doctors are required to hold a minimum of 20 visiting hours per week and the practice must remain open at least eight hours per day. Patients must get access to their doctor within one day for acute problems and within three days for chronic conditions. If certain services are not available in Estonia, patients can seek care abroad. In non-urgent situations, patients must seek approval from the EHIF. The service must be medically justifiable and must be proven efficacious with a probability of success of at least 50%. In order to add new benefits to be covered under EHIF, the managerial board conducts an evaluation process and recommends services to the supervisory board, which then proposes them to the Ministry of Social Affairs where they are reviewed and sent to the government for approval once per year. There are four criteria for including or excluding services from the benefits package:
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| Kyrgyz Republic: Mandatory Health Insurance Fund (MHIF) |
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Entitlements of coverage under the MHIF were introduced under the State Guarantee Benefits Package (SGBP). The specifications of the SGBP are the following:
Entitlements of coverage under the MHIF were introduced under the State Guarantee Benefits Package (SGBP). The specifications of the SGBP are the following:
The Additional Drug Package (ADP) was introduced in 2000 as a way of reinforcing the importance of primary care. It started in seven pharmacies and was slowly rolled out to the entire country by 2003. The ADP is an outpatient drug benefit for those insured with the MHIF, which initially included 37 generic drugs but has expanded since. To purchase drugs through the ADP, the patient pays a discounted price at the pharmacy and the MHIF reimburses the pharmacy for the difference. The subsidy amount is based on a reference price and is approximately 50% of the reference price. Mandatory Health Insurance Fund (MHIF)Benefits package Types of Benefits: Comprehensive Entitlements of coverage under the MHIF were introduced under the State Guarantee Benefits Package (SGBP). The specifications of the SGBP are the following:
The Additional Drug Package (ADP) was introduced in 2000 as a way of reinforcing the importance of primary care. It started in seven pharmacies and was slowly rolled out to the entire country by 2003. The ADP is an outpatient drug benefit for those insured with the MHIF, which initially included 37 generic drugs but has expanded since. To purchase drugs through the ADP, the patient pays a discounted price at the pharmacy and the MHIF reimburses the pharmacy for the difference. The subsidy amount is based on a reference price and is approximately 50% of the reference price. |
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| Rwanda: Mutuelles de Sante |
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The benefits package in Rwanda has two primary parts: the Minimum Package of Activities (MPA) and the Complementary Package of Activities (CPA). The MPA covers all services and drugs provided at the health centers including pre- and post-natal care, vaccinations, family planning, minor surgical operations, and essential and generic drugs. All individuals in Rwanda with health insurance are entitled to comprehensive, subsidized preventative care through the MPA. The CPA covers a limited number of services at the district hospitals, including the cost of hospitalization, caesarian operations, minor and major surgical operations, medical imaging, and all diseases afflicting children ages 0 to 5 years. Read full sectionThe benefits package in Rwanda has two primary parts: the Minimum Package of Activities (MPA) and the Complementary Package of Activities (CPA). The MPA covers all services and drugs provided at the health centers including pre- and post-natal care, vaccinations, family planning, minor surgical operations, and essential and generic drugs. All individuals in Rwanda with health insurance are entitled to comprehensive, subsidized preventative care through the MPA. The CPA covers a limited number of services at the district hospitals, including the cost of hospitalization, caesarian operations, minor and major surgical operations, medical imaging, and all diseases afflicting children ages 0 to 5 years. As of 2006, the CPA benefits package was extended to cover select services in national hospitals. In order to receive these benefits, individuals must be referred from the health centers to district or national level hospitals. Mutuelle members are entitled to comprehensive benefits for primary care, secondary care, and tertiary care provided through public or private non-profit contracted facilities. The scheme provides basic services such as family planning, pre-natal care, consultations, basic laboratory examinations, generic drugs, and hospital treatment. All medications from hospitals are also included in the benefits. For those covered under RAMA, benefits include all the major preventative services in addition to all curative services and pharmaceuticals. The benefits package for MMI is the same as RAMA, with the addition of prostheses coverage added under MMI. Excluded are contact lenses and braces as well as cosmetic surgery for purely aesthetic reasons. RAMA and MMI have signed contracts with all public health centers and reference hospitals, as well as 16 private institutions. MMI has the added advantage of using military hospitals, thus, individuals covered under these plans are able to access health care benefits at almost all health centers in Rwanda. Mutuelles de SanteBenefits package Types of Benefits: Comprehensive The benefits package in Rwanda has two primary parts: the Minimum Package of Activities (MPA) and the Complementary Package of Activities (CPA). The MPA covers all services and drugs provided at the health centers including pre- and post-natal care, vaccinations, family planning, minor surgical operations, and essential and generic drugs. All individuals in Rwanda with health insurance are entitled to comprehensive, subsidized preventative care through the MPA. The CPA covers a limited number of services at the district hospitals, including the cost of hospitalization, caesarian operations, minor and major surgical operations, medical imaging, and all diseases afflicting children ages 0 to 5 years. As of 2006, the CPA benefits package was extended to cover select services in national hospitals. In order to receive these benefits, individuals must be referred from the health centers to district or national level hospitals. Mutuelle members are entitled to comprehensive benefits for primary care, secondary care, and tertiary care provided through public or private non-profit contracted facilities. The scheme provides basic services such as family planning, pre-natal care, consultations, basic laboratory examinations, generic drugs, and hospital treatment. All medications from hospitals are also included in the benefits. For those covered under RAMA, benefits include all the major preventative services in addition to all curative services and pharmaceuticals. The benefits package for MMI is the same as RAMA, with the addition of prostheses coverage added under MMI. Excluded are contact lenses and braces as well as cosmetic surgery for purely aesthetic reasons. RAMA and MMI have signed contracts with all public health centers and reference hospitals, as well as 16 private institutions. MMI has the added advantage of using military hospitals, thus, individuals covered under these plans are able to access health care benefits at almost all health centers in Rwanda. |
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| Chile: National Health Fund (FONASA) |
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The Explicit Health Guarantee (GES) laws contain provisions for basic primary care, emergency care, and targeted health problems. Primary care coverage includes preventative and curative services provided by a physician and a family medicine team. Acute illnesses, preventative health care, health screenings, special programs for mental and cardiovascular health, specialist referrals, and home visits are all part of the primary care menu. Read full sectionThe Explicit Health Guarantee (GES) laws contain provisions for basic primary care, emergency care, and targeted health problems. Primary care coverage includes preventative and curative services provided by a physician and a family medicine team. Acute illnesses, preventative health care, health screenings, special programs for mental and cardiovascular health, specialist referrals, and home visits are all part of the primary care menu. Emergency care is guaranteed through a network of facilities covering the entire country. Emergency services provided include pre-hospital care, transportation, diagnostic care, stabilization, and treatment of life-threatening situations. ISAPREs must offer the same benefits covered under the GES. Beyond this, they are free to provide additional coverage to those who wish to purchase it. As of 2008, there were over 10,000 plans available. Coverage for targeted health problems is assured through the AUGE plan for both FONASA and ISAPRE enrollees. Table 2 outlines the health problems that are included in the plan. Table 2: AUGE health problems
Source: Bitran, R., Urcullo, G., 105 There are also special FONASA programs such as the Catastrophic Insurance program and the Seniors program. Catastrophic Insurance covers complex and high cost diseases such as cancer, cystic fibrosis, and brain tumors. Meanwhile, the Seniors program is designed to increase the coverage of pathologies that affect seniors over the age of 65 for the Institutional Modality and seniors over 55 for the Free Election Modality. This program is free to those enrolled. Among the benefits included are prosthetics, high-cost procedures, and expedited wait-listing for certain surgeries. National Health Fund (FONASA)Benefits package Types of Benefits: Comprehensive The Explicit Health Guarantee (GES) laws contain provisions for basic primary care, emergency care, and targeted health problems. Primary care coverage includes preventative and curative services provided by a physician and a family medicine team. Acute illnesses, preventative health care, health screenings, special programs for mental and cardiovascular health, specialist referrals, and home visits are all part of the primary care menu. Emergency care is guaranteed through a network of facilities covering the entire country. Emergency services provided include pre-hospital care, transportation, diagnostic care, stabilization, and treatment of life-threatening situations. ISAPREs must offer the same benefits covered under the GES. Beyond this, they are free to provide additional coverage to those who wish to purchase it. As of 2008, there were over 10,000 plans available. Coverage for targeted health problems is assured through the AUGE plan for both FONASA and ISAPRE enrollees. Table 2 outlines the health problems that are included in the plan. Table 2: AUGE health problems
Source: Bitran, R., Urcullo, G., 105 There are also special FONASA programs such as the Catastrophic Insurance program and the Seniors program. Catastrophic Insurance covers complex and high cost diseases such as cancer, cystic fibrosis, and brain tumors. Meanwhile, the Seniors program is designed to increase the coverage of pathologies that affect seniors over the age of 65 for the Institutional Modality and seniors over 55 for the Free Election Modality. This program is free to those enrolled. Among the benefits included are prosthetics, high-cost procedures, and expedited wait-listing for certain surgeries. |
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| Nigeria: National Health Insurance System |
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The benefits package for the National Health Insurance Scheme for workers in the formal sector is pre-determined and includes:
The benefits package for the National Health Insurance Scheme for workers in the formal sector is pre-determined and includes:
Exclusions for the package include:
The benefits packages for the informal program of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) are determined by the stakeholders through a process of consensus building. Members determine the benefits package according to local needs. National Health Insurance SystemBenefits package Types of Benefits: Comprehensive The benefits package for the National Health Insurance Scheme for workers in the formal sector is pre-determined and includes:
Exclusions for the package include:
The benefits packages for the informal program of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) are determined by the stakeholders through a process of consensus building. Members determine the benefits package according to local needs. |
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| India: Rajiv Aarogyasri |
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The Aarogyasri benefits package includes 942 surgical procedures and 144 medical diseases. The system is entirely cashless and there is no deductible or co-payment for seeking care. Read full sectionThe Aarogyasri benefits package includes 942 surgical procedures and 144 medical diseases. The system is entirely cashless and there is no deductible or co-payment for seeking care. 30 groups of doctors from the Government and corporate hospital sectors were consulted to develop the benefits package for Aarogyasri. Through a series of these consultations, Aarogyasri benefits have been agreed upon to include 389 surgical procedures and 144 medical diseases. A list of all benefits and associated reimbursement to hospitals can be found on the Aarogyasri web site. There is no deductible or co-payment for seeking care, and because the system is entirely cashless patients are admitted, treated, and discharged without exchanging any money. Immediate pre- and post-operative expenditures are included in package rates to minimize the other financial expenses to the patient. Rajiv AarogyasriBenefits package Types of Benefits: Primarily Inpatient The Aarogyasri benefits package includes 942 surgical procedures and 144 medical diseases. The system is entirely cashless and there is no deductible or co-payment for seeking care. 30 groups of doctors from the Government and corporate hospital sectors were consulted to develop the benefits package for Aarogyasri. Through a series of these consultations, Aarogyasri benefits have been agreed upon to include 389 surgical procedures and 144 medical diseases. A list of all benefits and associated reimbursement to hospitals can be found on the Aarogyasri web site. There is no deductible or co-payment for seeking care, and because the system is entirely cashless patients are admitted, treated, and discharged without exchanging any money. Immediate pre- and post-operative expenditures are included in package rates to minimize the other financial expenses to the patient. |