Compare: Funding

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 Primary source of funding Secondary source of funding Contributing Populations Types of Contributions Funding
Indonesia: Jamkesmas
  • General government revenues
  • None
  • All populations
  • Premiums
  • Co-payments

The Jamkesmas scheme is funded by the central government from general tax revenue. Beneficiaries are not responsible for premium payments nor are they charged a copayment at the time of visit.

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The Jamkesmas scheme is funded by the central government from general tax revenue. Beneficiaries are not responsible for premium payments nor are they charged a copayment at the time of visit.

A paramount question of importance in Indonesia is the solvency of the Jamkesmas program. Increasing utilization of health care will concurrently increase the cost of health insurance, particularly for the poorest populations covered by Jamkesmas as currently there is no co-payment provision within the program. While utilization of Puskesmas services has increased, the capacity of local service delivery may not be able to keep pace with increasing demands without further collaboration with private primary health care providers.

Currently, it is the responsibility of the local government to finance the gap between the actual cost of insuring its population and what the central government provides via Jamkesmas reimbursements. Without further support for the poorest localities, this growing responsibility will become more problematic. The central government recognizes this problem, and in order to continue to strive towards universal coverage, it is considering how it might introduce strategies to develop further approaches to co-finance service delivery at the local level.

The proposed funding requirements for the operational costs of preventive and promotive service delivery is under active consideration within the parliament at this time and known as the “BOK” fund.

Ghana: National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)
  • General government revenues
  • Payroll Tax
  • Member contributions
  • Donor funding
  • Formal Sector
  • Government Employees
  • Informal Sector
  • Premiums

The NHIF is financed from several different sources. Approximately 70% of total funding comes from a health insurance levy added to VAT, 23% comes from contributions made by formal sector workers to the Social Security and National Trust (SSNIT), and 5% comes from Premium payments. Members do not pay deductibles or copayments when accessing health care.

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The NHIF is financed from several different sources. Approximately 70% of total funding comes from a health insurance levy added to VAT, 23% comes from contributions made by formal sector workers to the Social Security and National Trust (SSNIT), and 5% comes from Premium payments. Members do not pay deductibles or copayments when accessing health care.

Each funding source is described in further detail below:

  • A 2.5% health insurance levy added to VAT
  • 2.5% of the 17.5% Social Security and National Trust (SSNIT) contribution made by formal sector employees (the 17.5% contribution is made up of a 12.5% contribution from employers and 5% contribution from employees)
  • Member premiums of between 7.20 to 48.00 Ghana cedis annually (USD5.00 – USD34.00)
  • Money that accrues to the fund from investments made by the NHIC Other:
  • Funds allocated to the scheme by the Government of Ghana via Parliament
  • The central exemptions fund, formerly used to provide exemptions from user fees for those classed as ‘indigent’
  • Donor funds (few details on these donor funds are available)

The NHIS is a hybrid of social and community based health insurance models. The basic structure of the NHIS is described as a “hub-satellite” model. The “hub” of the system, which is essentially based on the SHI model of pooled public tax resources, is the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) which is administered by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA). The “satellites” are a country wide network of CBHI schemes known as District Wide Mutual Health Insurance (DWMHI) schemes which are monitored, subsidized and re-insured by the “hub.”

The table below presents estimates and projections for the composition of NHIS income from 2008 to 2018.

200820092010201120122018
SSNIT members58.8659.5176.8294.41117.86327.03
Health insurance levy176.56213.64256.37302.52352.44836.70
Insurance premiums (DMHIS)13.0520.8927.5335.7745.63171.46
Investment income5.5348.5351.0449.5645.070.00
Other income0.050.050.070.080.090.24
Total254.05342.63411.94482.76561.991,335.43

At present, employers are not held to anything in terms of contributions other than ensuring the necessary SSNIT deductions are made from the payrolls of formal sector employees. However, the NHIC has apparently made it known that it would prefer employers to contribute a sum equal to that of the employee’s contribution.

The NHIA has set the DWMHI annual premium levels at a minimum of 7.20 Ghana cedis and a maximum of 48.00 Ghana cedis (approximately $5-$34 in 2009) per adult member, to be determined by income status. The NHIA website states that this can be paid as a lump sum, or in 12 monthly installments (www.nhis.gov.gh). In practice, varying flat premiums are paid by districts across the country, with rich districts paying higher than poor districts.

The recent return to power of the NDC in the 2008/2009 elections may signal a significant change in the premium structure, however. The new government is considering the possibility of instituting a one-time premium that would guarantee access to the NHIS for life. Although no definite figures have been given as yet, rumor has it that the life time premium may be in the range of 150 Ghana cedis (just over $100), although the figure of $10-12 is also heard.

India: RSBY
  • General government revenues
  • None
  • Below Poverty Line
  • Registration Fees

RSBY is funded by the central and state governments through general tax revenue. The insurance premium is determined at the state-level and varies from state to state and district to district in the range of Rs. 400 (USD8) to Rs. 600 (USD12). Beneficiaries also pay a small amount (Rs. 30, less than one US dollar) as a registration fee, which is used to cover certain administrative costs associated with scheme.

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RSBY is funded by the central and state governments through general tax revenue. The insurance premium is determined at the state-level and varies from state to state and district to district in the range of Rs. 400 (USD8) to Rs. 600 (USD12). Beneficiaries also pay a small amount (Rs. 30, less than one US dollar) as a registration fee, which is used to cover certain administrative costs associated with scheme.

Funding from central and state governments is divided as follows:

  • 75% (90% in case of Jammu & Kashmir and North-eastern States) of the premium comes from the central government
  • 25% (10% in case of Jammu & Kashmir and North-Eastern States) of the premium comes from the state government

The insurance premium is determined at the state-level based on an open tender process.

Indian Insurance Regulatory Development Authority (IRDA) registered insurers compete in competitive bidding; the organization that fulfils technical criteria and has the lowest premium is chosen. The state and central governments pay the agreed upon premium to the insurance company commensurate with the number of BPL families enrolled. The insurer bears all the risk of the scheme and though the state governments provide support to the insurer(s), it is the responsibility of the insurer to operationalize the scheme on the ground.