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 |
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| Colombia: General System of Social Security in Health |
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One controversial component of the Colombian health system is that CR members—the wealthier—receive a richer benefits package than the poorer SR members. The CR benefits package covers all levels of care including inpatient, outpatient, maternity leave, and sick leave. The SR package covers all low-complexity care and catastrophic illnesses but provides only limited coverage for most hospital care and no short term disability coverage. Read full sectionOne controversial component of the Colombian health system is that CR members—the wealthier—receive a richer benefits package than the poorer SR members. The CR benefits package covers all levels of care including inpatient, outpatient, maternity leave, and sick leave. The SR package covers all low-complexity care and catastrophic illnesses but provides only limited coverage for most hospital care and no short term disability coverage. The SR is complemented by services provided by public hospitals, financed through direct payments to providers from the state, independent of what services they supply and of patients’ insurance status. General System of Social Security in HealthBenefits package Types of Benefits: Comprehensive One controversial component of the Colombian health system is that CR members—the wealthier—receive a richer benefits package than the poorer SR members. The CR benefits package covers all levels of care including inpatient, outpatient, maternity leave, and sick leave. The SR package covers all low-complexity care and catastrophic illnesses but provides only limited coverage for most hospital care and no short term disability coverage. The SR is complemented by services provided by public hospitals, financed through direct payments to providers from the state, independent of what services they supply and of patients’ insurance status. |
| Indonesia: Jamkesmas |
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Jamkesmas offers a comprehensive benefits package, including both inpatient and outpatient care, as well as maternal and preventive care. In terms of medication, enrollees are only entitled to coverage for drugs from specific formularies and must opt for generic drugs when filling prescriptions. Exclusions from the Jamkesmas benefits package include cosmetic surgery, annual physical check-ups, alternative medicine, dental prosthesis and fertility treatment. Cancer treatment and treatment for heart related problems are also limited. Read full sectionJamkesmas offers a comprehensive benefits package, including both inpatient and outpatient care, as well as maternal and preventive care. In terms of medication, enrollees are only entitled to coverage for drugs from specific formularies and must opt for generic drugs when filling prescriptions. Exclusions from the Jamkesmas benefits package include cosmetic surgery, annual physical check-ups, alternative medicine, dental prosthesis and fertility treatment. Cancer treatment and treatment for heart related problems are also limited. Overall, free access to many providers—both private and public—and a comprehensive benefits package make Jamkesmas more attractive to the majority of the population—even those covered under Askes and Jamsostek. A recent survey in early 2008 entitled “Study on Benefit Package Based on Community’s Preference” conducted by Center for Health Financing Policy and Health Insurance Management at the University of Gadjah Mada has shown that 79.8 % of people who were already enrolled with health insurance schemes, such as Askes and Jamsostek, preferred to be entitled with Jamkesmas benefits as they felt the coverage provided under Jamkesmas was superior to that provided under their existing plan. JamkesmasBenefits package Types of Benefits: Comprehensive Jamkesmas offers a comprehensive benefits package, including both inpatient and outpatient care, as well as maternal and preventive care. In terms of medication, enrollees are only entitled to coverage for drugs from specific formularies and must opt for generic drugs when filling prescriptions. Exclusions from the Jamkesmas benefits package include cosmetic surgery, annual physical check-ups, alternative medicine, dental prosthesis and fertility treatment. Cancer treatment and treatment for heart related problems are also limited. Overall, free access to many providers—both private and public—and a comprehensive benefits package make Jamkesmas more attractive to the majority of the population—even those covered under Askes and Jamsostek. A recent survey in early 2008 entitled “Study on Benefit Package Based on Community’s Preference” conducted by Center for Health Financing Policy and Health Insurance Management at the University of Gadjah Mada has shown that 79.8 % of people who were already enrolled with health insurance schemes, such as Askes and Jamsostek, preferred to be entitled with Jamkesmas benefits as they felt the coverage provided under Jamkesmas was superior to that provided under their existing plan. |
| 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. |
| : Taiwan: National Health Insurance |
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National Health Insurance (NHI) offers a comprehensive benefit package that covers some preventative medical services (pediatric immunizations, adult health exams, prenatal care, etc), prescription drugs, dental service, Chinese medicine, home nurse visits, inpatient care, and ambulatory care, among others. More expensive treatments, such as medication for HIV/AIDS and organ transplants are also covered. Read full sectionNational Health Insurance (NHI) offers a comprehensive benefit package that covers some preventative medical services (pediatric immunizations, adult health exams, prenatal care, etc), prescription drugs, dental service, Chinese medicine, home nurse visits, inpatient care, and ambulatory care, among others. More expensive treatments, such as medication for HIV/AIDS and organ transplants are also covered. Abortion services are covered in the case of sexual assault and 60 days of end-of-life care is included either in a hospice or hospital. Out-of-pocket expenditures are for services not covered by the NHI such as orthodontics and lab tests that are not medically necessary. National Health InsuranceBenefits package Types of Benefits: Comprehensive National Health Insurance (NHI) offers a comprehensive benefit package that covers some preventative medical services (pediatric immunizations, adult health exams, prenatal care, etc), prescription drugs, dental service, Chinese medicine, home nurse visits, inpatient care, and ambulatory care, among others. More expensive treatments, such as medication for HIV/AIDS and organ transplants are also covered. Abortion services are covered in the case of sexual assault and 60 days of end-of-life care is included either in a hospice or hospital. Out-of-pocket expenditures are for services not covered by the NHI such as orthodontics and lab tests that are not medically necessary. |
| India: RSBY |
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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. Read full sectionRSBY 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:
RSBYBenefits package Types of Benefits: 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. 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:
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| Thailand: Universal Coverage Scheme |
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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. Read full sectionUCS 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
Excluded services
Universal Coverage SchemeBenefits package Types of Benefits: 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. 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
Excluded services
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