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
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.

Nigeria: National Health Insurance System
  • Comprehensive

The benefits package for the National Health Insurance Scheme for workers in the formal sector is pre-determined and includes:

  • Out-patient care, including necessary consumables
  • Prescribed drugs, pharmaceutical care and diagnostic tests on the National Essential Drugs List and Diagnostic Test Lists
  • Maternity care for up to 4 live births for every insured contributor
  • Preventive care, including immunization, health education, family planning, antenatal and post-natal care
  • Consultation with specialists with a referral
  • Hospital in-patient care in a standard ward for a 15 cumulative days per year
  • Eye examination and care, excluding the provision of spectacles and contact lenses
  • A range of prostheses (limited to artificial limbs produced in Nigeria)
  • Preventive dental care and pain relief (including consultation, dental health education, amalgam filling, and simple extraction)
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The benefits package for the National Health Insurance Scheme for workers in the formal sector is pre-determined and includes:

  • Out-patient care, including necessary consumables
  • Prescribed drugs, pharmaceutical care and diagnostic tests on the National Essential Drugs List and Diagnostic Test Lists
  • Maternity care for up to 4 live births for every insured contributor
  • Preventive care, including immunization, health education, family planning, antenatal and post-natal care
  • Consultation with specialists with a referral
  • Hospital in-patient care in a standard ward for a 15 cumulative days per year
  • Eye examination and care, excluding the provision of spectacles and contact lenses
  • A range of prostheses (limited to artificial limbs produced in Nigeria)
  • Preventive dental care and pain relief (including consultation, dental health education, amalgam filling, and simple extraction)

Exclusions for the package include:

  • Occupational/industrial injuries
  • High technology investigations, except in life-threatening emergencies
  • Injuries resulting from natural disasters, political conflicts, epidemics and extreme sports
  • Drug abuse/addiction
  • Transplant and cosmetic surgeries

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.

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.