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
Kyrgyz Republic: Mandatory Health Insurance Fund (MHIF)
  • Comprehensive

Entitlements of coverage under the MHIF were introduced under the State Guarantee Benefits Package (SGBP). The specifications of the SGBP are the following:

  • Primary care is provided free of charge for the entire population with certain lab and diagnostic tests against copayment.
  • Hospital care is provided against formal copayment.
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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:

  • Primary care is provided free of charge for the entire population with certain lab and diagnostic tests against copayment.
  • Hospital care is provided against formal copayment. Copayment is a flat fee payable upon admission.
  • Exemption categories were designed based on categorical targeting and disease types to protect populations with high expected health care use. Providers receive a higher payment for treating exempt patients to prevent selection bias.
  • An additional outpatient drug benefit was also introduced to subsidize the price of medicines for primary care sensitive conditions in order to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations (e.g., anemia, ulcers, pneumonia, and hypertension).

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.

Brazil: Unified Health System (SUS)
  • Comprehensive

Brazil’s health system offers free, universal coverage. Care under the SUS is divided into basic, specialized, and high complexity categories. Basic care is composed of health promotion and disease prevention. Care is deemed specialized if the intervention requires the use of a medical specialist. Finally, complex care is composed of interventions that require the use of advanced technology and equipment.

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Brazil’s health system offers free, universal coverage. Care under the SUS is divided into basic, specialized, and high complexity categories. Basic care is composed of health promotion and disease prevention. Care is deemed specialized if the intervention requires the use of a medical specialist. Finally, complex care is composed of interventions that require the use of advanced technology and equipment.

The PSF’s original priority areas were: women’s health, child health, hypertension, diabetes, tuberculosis, leprosy, HIV, oral health, and health promotion.