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.

Colombia: General System of Social Security in Health
  • 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.

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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. 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
  • 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.

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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.

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.

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.

Ghana: National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)
  • Comprehensive

The basic benefits package is fairly extensive and purports to cover 95% of all health problems reported in Ghanaian health care facilities, though there is a noticeable emphasis on female reproductive health. Expensive, highly specialized care such as dialysis and organ transplants are not covered by the NHIS. ARVs for the treatment of HIV/AIDS are also not covered as these drugs are supplied by a separate government program.

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The basic benefits package is fairly extensive and purports to cover 95% of all health problems reported in Ghanaian health care facilities, though there is a noticeable emphasis on female reproductive health. Expensive, highly specialized care such as dialysis and organ transplants are not covered by the NHIS. ARVs for the treatment of HIV/AIDS are also not covered as these drugs are supplied by a separate government program.

The health services covered by the NHIS are laid out in the minimum basic benefits package. The list also delineates prescribed medicines. Benefits for maternity care include antenatal care, caesarean sections, and postnatal care for up to six months after birth. Treatment for breast and cervical cancer are included in the package, although treatment for other cancers is not.

NHIS Benefits Package

Outpatient services

  • General and specialist consultation services
  • General and specialist diagnostic testing, including laboratory investigation, X-rays, ultrasound scanning
  • Medicines on the NHIS medicines list
  • Surgical operations such as hernia repair
  • Physiotherapy

Inpatient services

  • General and specialist inpatient care
  • Diagnostic tests
  • Medication - prescribed medicines on the NHIS medicines list, blood and blood products
  • Surgical operations
  • Inpatient physiotherapy
  • Accommodation in the general ward
  • Feeding (where available)

Oral health

  • Pain relief (tooth extraction, temporary incision and drainage)
  • Dental restoration (simple amalgam filling, temporary dressing)

Maternity care

  • Antenatal care
  • Deliveries (normal and assisted)
  • Caesarean section
  • Postnatal care

Emergencies

  • Medical emergencies
  • Surgical emergencies
  • Pediatric emergencies
  • Obstetric and gynecological emergencies
  • Road traffic accident

Exclusions list

  • Appliance and prostheses including optical aids, heart aids, orthopedic aids, dentures, etc.
  • Cosmetic surgeries and aesthetic treatment
  • HIV retroviral drugs
  • Assisted reproduction (e.g., artificial insemination) and gynecological hormone replacement therapy
  • Echocardiography
  • Photography and angiography
  • Dialysis for chronic renal failure
  • Organ transplantation
  • All drugs not listed on the NHIS list
  • Heart and brain surgery other than those resulting from accidents
  • Cancer treatment other than breast and cervical
  • Mortuary services
  • Diagnosis and treatment abroad
  • Medical examinations for purposes other than treatment in accredited health facilities
  • VIP ward accommodation
Philippines: PhilHealth
  • Comprehensive

PhilHealth beneficiaries have access to a nearly comprehensive package of services, including inpatient care, catastrophic coverage, ambulatory surgeries, deliveries, and outpatient treatment for malaria and tuberculosis. Those identified as indigent and OFW are also entitled to outpatient primary care.

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PhilHealth beneficiaries have access to a nearly comprehensive package of services, including inpatient care, catastrophic coverage, ambulatory surgeries, deliveries, and outpatient treatment for malaria and tuberculosis. Those identified as indigent and OFW are also entitled to outpatient primary care.

More specifically, services included range from:

  • Inpatient care: a.) room and board; b.) drugs and medicines; c.) diagnostics and other services; d.) professional fees and; e.) operating room services.
    • These benefits are subject to some limits, which differ based on the level of the health facility/hospital (level 1 to 4 hospitals and the Ambulatory surgical centers equivalent to level 2 hospitals) and the severity of the cause of admission (case-type A, B, C and D)
    • Catastrophic coverage also subject to limits discussed above
  • Ambulatory surgeries including ambulatory dialysis
  • Deliveries
  • Outpatient malaria and TB-DOTS care

Except for the outpatient primary care that the poor and OFW are entitled to via public providers, there is free choice of providers for beneficiaries, both public and private.

Annual or lifetime coverage limits do exist. These limits are expressed in terms of volumes of services (e.g., days) rather than a peso coverage limit. For example, member households are eligible for 45 days of inpatient admission, sharing 45 days among all household members. Each day of ambulatory surgery counts as a day of admission.

While there is no formal system that sets fixed deductibles or co-payments, health care providers are allowed to charge the patient the balance between the total cost of care and what PhilHealth pay (i.e., balance billing).

There are some waiting periods before beneficiaries can access care; waiting periods differ by population category:

  • Formal sector: 3 months
  • Poor: none
  • Retirees: none
  • Non-poor, OFWs, and others not eligible for other three categories: 9 months for elective procedures and deliveries, 3 months for the rest
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.