Compare: Benefits package

Joint Learning Network for Universal Health Coverage

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.


Program Types of benefits Benefits package
Vietnam: Compulsory and Voluntary Health Insurance Schemes
  • Comprehensive

HCFP offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes both inpatient and outpatient care. Excluded are interventions covered by vertical programs such as HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, treatments not yet approved by the MoH, various “luxury” interventions such as cosmetic surgery, certain dental procedures, and treatment of self-inflicted injuries and drug addiction, among others.

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HCFP offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes both inpatient and outpatient care. Excluded are interventions covered by vertical programs such as HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, treatments not yet approved by the MoH, various “luxury” interventions such as cosmetic surgery, certain dental procedures, and treatment of self-inflicted injuries and drug addiction, among others.

The benefits package is essentially the same for everyone, except the poor, children under 6, pensioners, and meritorious persons who are exempted from copayment or have lower copayment rate. The following services are covered under all health programs: medical consultation, diagnosis and treatment, X-ray and laboratory tests, functional examination, imaging diagnosis, drugs listed by the MoH, blood and transfusion, surgery, antenatal examination and delivery. In addition to these items, the insurance also covers the cost (up to a certain limit) of a defined list of high-technology treatments (including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), hemodialysis and laser surgery among a total of 177 specified high-tech procedures).

The following exemptions, some of which are covered by the national target programs, are imposed: leprosy, tuberculosis, malaria, schizophrenia, epilepsy, STD, vaccination, convalescence, early-detected pregnancy, medical check-ups, family planning services and infertility treatments, prosthesis, aesthetic surgery, artificial arm, leg, tooth, glasses, hearing-aid machines, occupational diseases, war injuries, accidents at work place, treatment for suicide, self-inflicted injuries, drug addiction, medical appraisal, forensic appraisal, mental examination, home care, rehabilitation and delivery.

Chile: National Health Fund (FONASA)
  • 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.

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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. 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

200520062007
No.Health problemNo.Health problemNo.Health problem
1.End-stage renal disease26.Preventative cholecystectomy for gallbladder cancer41.Hearing loss in individuals over 65
2.Operable congenital cardiopathies in children under 15 years27.Gastric cancer42.Leukemia in adults
3. Cervical uterine cancer28.Prostate cancer43Eye trauma
4.Pain relief and palliative care for advanced cancer29.Refractive disorders in individuals over 65 years44.Cystic fibrosis
5.Acute myocardial infarction30.Strabismus in children under 9 years45.Severe burns
6.Type I diabetes mellitus31.Diabetic retinopathy46.Drug and alcohol dependence in adolescents from 10 to 19 years
7.Type II diabetes mellitus32.Detached retina47.Complete prenatal and delivery care
8.Breast cancer in individuals over 15 years33.Hemophilia48.Rheumatoid arthritis
9.Spinal defects34.Depression in individuals over 15 years49.Mild and moderate osteoarthritis of hip in individuals over 60 years; mild and moderate osteoarthritis of knee in individuals over 65 years
10.Surgical treatment for scoliosis in individuals under 25 years35.Benign prostatic hyperplasia50.Ruptured aneurysms; ruptured ateriovenous malformations
11.Surgical treatments for cataracts36.Acute cerebrovascular accident51.Central nervous system tumors and cysts
12.Total hip replacement for advanced osteoarthritis in individuals over 65 years37.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease52.Herniated disks
13.Cleft palate38.Bronchial asthma53.Dental emergencies
14.Cancer in children under 15 years39.Infant respiratory distress syndrome54.Dental care for adults over 65 years
15.Schizophrenia40.Orthotics and technical support for individuals over 65 years55.Multitrauma
16.Testicular cancer in individuals over 15 years56.Traumatic brain injury
17.Lymphoma in individuals over 15 years
18.Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) / HIV
19.Outpatient treatment for acute respiratory infection in children under 5 years
20.Walking pneumonia in individuals over 65 years
21.Primary (essential) arterial hypertension in individuals over 15 years
22.Nonrefractory epilepsy in children 1 to 15 years
23.Complete oral health care for children under 6 years: prevention and education
24.Prematurity - Retinopathy of Prematurity - Hypoacusia Prematurity
25.Major conduction disorders requiring a pacemaker in individuals over 15 years

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.

India: Rajiv Aarogyasri
  • 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.

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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.

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.

India: RSBY
  • Primarily Inpatient

RSBY covers all hospitalization expenses of up to Rs. 30,000/- (USD 600) per family per year and has established package rates for 727 inpatient surgical procedures, including maternity and newborn care. Benefits packages also provide beneficiaries with transportation assistance of up to Rs. 100/- (USD 2) per visit, though not exceeding Rs. 1,000/- (USD 20) per year.

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RSBY covers all hospitalization expenses of up to Rs. 30,000/- (USD 600) per family per year and has established package rates for 727 inpatient surgical procedures, including maternity and newborn care. Benefits packages also provide beneficiaries with transportation assistance of up to Rs. 100/- (USD 2) per visit, though not exceeding Rs. 1,000/- (USD 20) per year.

A family covered by RSBY can include up to five members (including a husband, a wife, and three dependents). Most of the surgical and medical conditions for which hospitalization is necessary are covered in the scheme. In addition, beneficiaries are covered for outpatient surgeries which can be done on an outpatient basis. The benefit also includes one day pre- and five day post-hospitalization expenses.

All pre-existing diseases are covered from the first day of enrollment with some exclusions. RSBY does not cover:

  • OPD expenses, or expenses in hospitals which do not lead to hospitalization
  • Congenital external diseases
  • Drug and alcohol induced illness
  • Sterilization and fertility-related procedures
Thailand: Universal Coverage Scheme
  • Comprehensive

UCS beneficiaries are entitled to a comprehensive benefits package, including both inpatient and outpatient care. In addition to curative services (with some exclusions), UCS provides for preventive care for all Thai citizens, focused on health promotion and disease prevention (e.g., immunizations, annual physical checkups, premarital counseling, antenatal care and family planning services, etc.). Recently, coverage has also been extended to ARV treatment for HIV/AIDs and renal replacement therapy.

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UCS beneficiaries are entitled to a comprehensive benefits package, including both inpatient and outpatient care. In addition to curative services (with some exclusions), UCS provides for preventive care for all Thai citizens, focused on health promotion and disease prevention (e.g., immunizations, annual physical checkups, premarital counseling, antenatal care and family planning services, etc.). Recently, coverage has also been extended to ARV treatment for HIV/AIDs and renal replacement therapy.

The curative package covers ambulatory and hospitalization services with some exclusions, such as cosmetic surgery, infertility treatments, organ transplants, and the provision of private room and board. For high-cost care, the UCS has adopted a similar package to the one provided by the SSS in order to standardize the packages across the scheme to minimize inequities in health care services. Thus, substantial high-cost interventions are offered. All contracted public and private providers are bound to provide registered beneficiaries with these and other preventative services.

ART treatment and renal replacement therapy coverage was extended beginning in October 2003 and January 2008 respectively, because of strong social movements pushing for these inclusions. In January 2008, based on a cost-benefit analysis, the NHS Board decided to provide the seasonal flu vaccination to high-risk groups. There was no increase to the budget because it was determined that it costs less to vaccinate for the flu than to treat it. Evidence from a cost-benefit analysis showing that the cost of treatment and care for flu patients in high-risk groups is higher than the cost of vaccination has resulted in the decision to provide seasonal flu vaccination to high-risk groups.

The decision to expand benefits to include renal replacement therapy from January 2008 is forecasted to increase the burden on the health care system.

The table below illustrates some high cost inclusions and exclusions in the UCS.

Included services

  • Chemo for cancer
  • Radiation therapy for cancers
  • Open heart surgery including prosthetic cardiac valve replacement
  • Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
  • Coronary artery bypass grafting
  • Stent for treatment of atherosclerotic vessels
  • Prosthetic hip replacement therapy
  • Prosthetic shoulder replacement therapy
  • Neurosurgery
  • Antiretroviral treatment
  • Renal replacement therapy including kidney transplants for patients with end stage disease

Excluded services

  • Other organ transplants
  • Cosmetic surgery
  • Infertility treatment