Compare: Institutional structure

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 Key Actors in Insurance Administration Organizational Structure Collections Responsibility Operations Responsibility Oversight Responsibility Institutional structures
Vietnam: Compulsory and Voluntary Health Insurance Schemes
  • Central Government
  • State Government
  • Centralized
  • Central Government
  • Central Government
  • Central Government

The MoH is responsible for overseeing all health insurance programs, while the VSS is the main agency implementing the schemes. The Ministry of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) is tasked with identifying the beneficiaries of the HCFP.

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The MoH is responsible for overseeing all health insurance programs, while the VSS is the main agency implementing the schemes. The Ministry of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) is tasked with identifying the beneficiaries of the HCFP.

The VSS is a government agency responsible for the administration of the various social insurance programs, including the collection of insurance premiums. In addition to collecting revenues, VSS’s main responsibility is to issue health insurance cards and reimburse service providers.

The MoF manages the tax-transfer process that provides the resources that local governments use to provide budget support to public facilities and to pay the VSS for subsidized enrollees. VSS collects mandatory (and voluntary) contributions to the health insurance program, then pools these with the subsidies from the MoF, and pays the providers for care received by people covered by VSS.

Estonia: Estonian Health Insurance Fund
  • Centralized
  • Central Government
  • Central Government
  • Central Government

The Estonian Health System is centralized at the national level. Funds collection is managed by the Estonian Tax and Customs Board. The tax board then transfers the health contribution to the Estonian Health Insurance Fund (EHIF). The EHIF is also responsible for the operations of the financing system, as it is the only purchaser for health care services within the country. Health system oversight is carried out by both the EHIF supervisory board as well as the health division of the Ministry of Social Affairs.

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The Estonian Health System is centralized at the national level. Funds collection is managed by the Estonian Tax and Customs Board. The tax board then transfers the health contribution to the Estonian Health Insurance Fund (EHIF). The EHIF is also responsible for the operations of the financing system, as it is the only purchaser for health care services within the country. Health system oversight is carried out by both the EHIF supervisory board as well as the health division of the Ministry of Social Affairs.

The Estonian Health Insurance Fund (EHIF) is responsible for the financing of the health system. Its responsibilities include:

  • Purchasing health care services by contracting with service providers
  • Paying for services rendered
  • Reimbursing enrollees for pharmaceuticals, sick leave, and maternity leave.

A 15 member supervisory board is responsible for EHIF results. This board is composed of representatives from employer organizations, insured individuals’ organizations, and the state. This board approves the four year development plan and the annual budget. The supervisory board also composes necessary reports and selects providers for contracting. It also has the authority to examine and audit all documents. The management board is responsible for daily EHIF operations. Under the management board, the central and four regional departments conduct needs assessments, contract with providers, and process claims.

The government plays a role in planning and regulating the health system by:

  • Approving acts regulating public health issues
  • Approving development plans for the hospital network
  • Nominating members to the EHIF Supervisory Board

The health division of the Ministry of Social Affairs is responsible for:

  • Developing and implementing health policy
  • Supervising health service quality and access

Table 2: Influence on decisions made by the EHIF

Decision-makingAppointment of supervisory boardAppointment of management boardFinancingServicesPricesPayment methodsContractingReservesFund management
President------------------
Parliament----+++++--+--
Government+++++++++++++--
Ministry of Social Affairs+++++++++++--
Ministry of Finance----++--------+--
Supervisory board--++++++++++++
Management board--+--++++++++
Providers------+++++----

(++ Strong Influence; + Moderate Influence; -- No Influence)
Source: Habicht T

County governments are responsible for:

  • Announcing family doctor vacancies
  • Approving family doctor post appointments
  • Assigning family doctor service areas
  • Organizing the supervision of practices at the county level

Organization Structure of the Health Care System

All health care providers within Estonia function as private parties operating under the purview of private law. Family practices are organized as private businesses or joint-stock companies, while hospitals are organized as for-profit joint stock companies or non-profit foundations.

Philippines: PhilHealth
  • Central Government
  • Centralized
  • Central Government
  • Central Government
  • Central Government

The scheme is entirely administered by PhilHealth, a government corporation attached to the Department of Health. PhilHealth collects premiums, accredits providers, sets the benefits packages and provider payment mechanisms, processes claims, and reimburses providers for their services.

PhilHealth is responsible for oversight and administration of public sector insurance schemes.

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The scheme is entirely administered by PhilHealth, a government corporation attached to the Department of Health. PhilHealth collects premiums, accredits providers, sets the benefits packages and provider payment mechanisms, processes claims, and reimburses providers for their services.

PhilHealth is responsible for oversight and administration of public sector insurance schemes. It has a governing board chaired by the Secretary of Health with representation from other government departments (ministries) and agencies, and the private sector including the OFW sector.

PhilHealth also features a governing board composed of 13 individuals, chaired by the Secretary of Health, with the president and CEO of Philhealth as vice-chariman. The president and CEO have a fixed term of 6 years.

Salaries and other operating expenses are derived from premium payments and the income of the funds under management. PhilHealth can use up to 12% of the previous year’s premium and 3% of the income of the fund it manages towards operating expenses.

For monitoring and evaluation, Congress has mandated the National Institutes of Health (based in the University of the Philippines) to conduct studies that will verify and validate the performance of PhilHealth.