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
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.

Read full section

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.

Indonesia: Jamkesmas
  • Central Government
  • District/Local Government
  • Commercial insurers
  • Decentralized to district/local level
  • District/Local Government
  • Central Government
  • District/Local Government
  • Central Government

Presently, five main actors are involved in the administration of the Jamkesmas scheme (1) the National Social Security Council (DJSN), (2) national government agencies, including Depkes (MoH), the Ministry of Finance (MoF), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), Ministry of Social Affairs (Menkokesra), and the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas), (3) provincial and district governments, (4) public and private providers of care, and (5) the insurer/third-party administrator.

Read full section

Presently, five main actors are involved in the administration of the Jamkesmas scheme (1) the National Social Security Council (DJSN), (2) national government agencies, including Depkes (MoH), the Ministry of Finance (MoF), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), Ministry of Social Affairs (Menkokesra), and the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas), (3) provincial and district governments, (4) public and private providers of care, and (5) the insurer/third-party administrator.

A revised institutional structure of Indonesia’s Jamkesmas scheme is currently being developed. The table below summarizes the roles and responsibilities of all of the organizations involved in implementing national health insurance, including Jamkesmas:

National Soc Sec Council (DJSN)National government agencies (MoH, MoF, MoHA, Menkokesra, Bappenas)Provincial and district governmentsProviders of careInsurer/TPA (Askes/ Jamsostek)
Oversight of schemeX (LR)X (SR)
Financing schemeXX
Setting parameters (benefits package, definitions of poor, etc.)X (LR)X (SR)
Accreditation/Empanelment of providersXX
EnrollmentXXX
Financial management/planningX (LR)X (SR)
Actuarial analysisX (LR)
Setting rate schedules for services/reimbursement ratesX (LR)X (SR)
Claims processing and paymentX (Under Review)XX (District level)
Outreach, Marketing to beneficiaries X
Service deliveryX
Developing clinical information system for monitoring/evalX (LR)X (SR)
Monitoring local-level utilization and other patient informationX (LR) X (SR)
Monitoring national aggregate informationX (LR)
Customer serviceXX

LR = long run; SR = short run

Note that the Ministry of Finance has an office overseeing insurance programs and carriers of all types. They also have actuarial capacity available when required.

Kyrgyz Republic: Mandatory Health Insurance Fund (MHIF)
  • Central Government
  • Centralized
  • Central Government
  • Central Government
  • Central Government

The Kyrgyz health system is centralized at the national level. The Ministry of Health is responsible for health policy, regulation and the oversight of the health care system. Funds collection, pooling, and health purchasing is managed by the Mandatory Health Insurance Fund (MHIF) in the capital city of Bishkek. The MHIF is also responsible for the operations of the financing system, as it is the sole purchasing agency for health services within the Kyrgyz health system.

Read full section

The Kyrgyz health system is centralized at the national level. The Ministry of Health is responsible for health policy, regulation and the oversight of the health care system. Funds collection, pooling, and health purchasing is managed by the Mandatory Health Insurance Fund (MHIF) in the capital city of Bishkek. The MHIF is also responsible for the operations of the financing system, as it is the sole purchasing agency for health services within the Kyrgyz health system.

The MHIF is an agency of the MOH responsible for collecting premiums and for funding individual health services in the SGBP and the Additional Outpatient Drug Benefit. The MHIF is responsible for contracting with primary health care providers and hospitals and for paying them for services they provide to enrollees.

The Ministry of Health is responsible for creating a unified state policy for the health sector, functioning as the steward of health care in Kyrgyzstan. Under this banner, the MOH has the following responsibilities:

  • Develop the State Guarantee Benefits Package (SGBP).
  • Develop draft laws and other regulations in the health sector and submit them for consideration to the Government.
  • Organize and implement the registration, licensing, and accounting of medical and pharmaceutical personnel.
  • Supervise and coordinate the quality of medical education within the country.
  • Provide for continuous operation of high-tech medical equipment and introduce new technologies at the tertiary level.
  • Coordinate the activities of the Mandatory Health Insurance Fund (MHIF) although the relationship between the MOH and MHIF is further evolving due to the recent separation of the MHIF.
  • Serve as the purchaser for some of the health program budgets including public health, medical education, and high-technology services.
  • Coordinate public health activities.
  • Support the charitable and humanitarian activities of NGOs, associations, movements and individuals within the health sector.
  • Conduct internal audits of compliance with procurement procedures, financial operations, accounting systems in health organizations and their subordinate institutions.
Mali: Mutuelles
  • Central Government
  • District/Local Government
  • Mutuelles
  • Decentralized to district/local level
  • Mutuelles
  • Mutuelles
  • Central Government
  • District/Local Government

Although the Social Protection Ministry is the sole entity in charge of the three medical coverage systems, the institutional framework is different for each one.

For the Mutuelles, the National Strategy identifies a new organizational chart, illustrated below. This scheme seeks to create Mutuelles at the community or commune level, networked at the higher levels by the district Mutuelle unions, the regional federations of Mutuelles, and a national federation of Mutuelles.

Read full section

Although the Social Protection Ministry is the sole entity in charge of the three medical coverage systems, the institutional framework is different for each one.

For the Mutuelles, the National Strategy identifies a new organizational chart, illustrated below. This scheme seeks to create Mutuelles at the community or commune level, networked at the higher levels by the district Mutuelle unions, the regional federations of Mutuelles, and a national federation of Mutuelles.

 Organization chart of the Mutuelle system

Table 4 illustrates the institutional framework planned for the Mutuelle system.

Table 4: Institutional system for the Mutuelle system

CommitteeRoleCompositionOperating procedures
Pilot Phase Steering and Monitoring Committee (CPSPP) at the national levelStrategic management and decision-making that contribute to achieving the following goals:
  • Validate the annual development operating plans for the Mutuelle system, including the financial framework
  • Recruit the implementation agencies
  • Raise the funds needed to implement the strategy
  • Assess the results of the activities carried out under this strategy
  • Give orientation and instructions to achieve the strategy’s results
Chairs - Secretaries General MDSSPA, MS, MPFEF

Members - CPS/SSDSPF, DNS, DNPSES, DNDS, APCAM, APCMM, CCIM, CNC, AMM, UTM, DNI, HCCT, DNB, ANAM, CANAM, FENASCOM, Health professional associations, technical and financial partners, National Federation of Mutuelles
The Committee meets twice a year and reports on its work to the Ministers of Social Protection and Health
National level Technical Committee (TC)Technical coordination of activities carried out under the Strategy Pilot:
  • Validate the training materials
  • Validate the Mutuelle management tools
  • Validate the communication plan
  • Assess the investment requirements
  • Assess the results of activities carried out as part of this strategy
  • Send the assessment of the results achieved to the CPSPP
  • Submit all the corrections it deems necessary to promote achieving the objectives to the CPSPP
Chair - DNPSES Director

Members - DNDS, DNPSES, CPS, DNS, UTM, CAMASC, DNB, AMM, National Federation of Mutuelles
The TC meets at least three times a year and reports on its work to the CPSPP
Regional Monitoring Committee (CSR)Monitoring of the activities that are planned under the strategy at the regional level. All the technical parameters, the draft laws and the organizing of unions of district Mutuelles are determined and the Local (District) Monitoring Committee is fully involved:
  • Facilitate the implementation of scheduled activities
  • Mobilize local resources
  • Assess the results of the activities carried out under this strategy
  • Send the evaluation of the results to the TC
  • Propose to the TC all the corrections it deems necessary to help achieve the objectives
Chair - Governor

Members - Decentralized government units (Finances, Social Development and Health), Regional Assembly, Regional Federation of Mutuelles, FERASCOM, cooperatives, women’s associations and decentralized financing systems (microfinance networks)
The CSR meets at least four times a year and reports on its work to the TC
District Monitoring Committee (CSL)Monitoring of the activities planned under the strategy at the district level:
  • Facilitate the implementation of the scheduled activities
  • Mobilize local resources
  • Assess the results of the activities carried out under this strategy
  • Submit the evaluation of the results to the CSR
  • Propose to the CSR all the corrections it deems necessary to help achieve the objectives
Chair - District prefect

Members - Decentralized government units (Finance, Social Development and Health), District Council, District Federation of Mutuelles, FELASCOM, agricultural cooperatives, women’s associations and decentralized financing systems (microfinance networks)
The CSL meets at least four times a year and reports to the CSR on its work
Communal Monitoring Committee (CSC)Monitoring of the status of strategy implementation at the commune level:
  • Report on the status of implementation of the planned activities
  • Make decisions to remove the obstacles that prevent the communal Mutuelle from working properly
  • Report to the CSL
Chair - Mayor(s)

Members - Decentralized technical entities, ASACO, Communal health Mutuelle, local NGOs, village councils

Source: Ministry of Social Protection

For the AMO, a National Health Insurance Fund (CANAM) was set up as a management agency, with two delegated management entities: the Malian Health Insurance Fund (CMSS) and the National Social Welfare Institute (INPS) for collecting dues and paying for health care services. The National Medical Assistance Agency (ANAM) was set up for RAMED. The management bodies and their respective roles are shown in Table 5.

Table 5: Organization and operating procedures– AMO and RAMED

Body and systemRoleRepresentation
Board of directors (RAMED and AMO)
  • Adopt the budget and annual activities program
  • Determine the annual qualitative and quantitative Objectives that the CANAM or the ANAM is to achieve
  • Authorize the implementing regulations for the system
  • Authorize the Managing Director (MD) to sign all the contracts and conventions that are binding on CANAM or ANAM for a period longer than 24 months (for CANAM) or that exceed CFAF 10 million (for ANAM)
  • Determine the organization of the Fund or the Agency
  • Approve the financial statements for the fiscal year and the report on the MD’s activities
  • Approve other investment and real estate transactions and real estate guarantees
AMO - Ministry of Social Protection, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of the Civil Service, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Defense, Associations of employers, workers, retires, MPs, and CANAM

RAMED - Ministry of Social Protection, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of National Administration, Ministry of Health, High Council of Territorial Governments, Association of District and Regional Governments of Mali, Association of Municipalities of Mali, National Federation of Community Health Associations (FENASCOM), ANAM
Managing Director (RAMED and AMO)
  • Manage, coordinate, lead and oversee all CANAM or ANAM activities
MD appointed by a decree of the Council of Ministers based on a proposal from the Minister of Social Protection
Delegated management bodies (AMO)
  • Collect dues
  • Pay for care services
The Mali Social Security Fund (CMSS) and the National Social Welfare Institute (INPS)

Source: Ministry of Social Protection

Ghana: National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)
  • Central Government
  • District/Local Government
  • Decentralized to district/local level
  • Central Government
  • District/Local Government
  • District/Local Government
  • Central Government

The National Health Insurance Authority is the national governing body of the NHIS. Each DWMHI scheme is managed by a Board, which is elected by a General Assembly comprised of Community Health Insurance Committee (CHIC) representatives. Monitoring is carried out at all levels, including by the NHIS, district schemes, and health care providers.

Read full section

The National Health Insurance Authority is the national governing body of the NHIS. Each DWMHI scheme is managed by a Board, which is elected by a General Assembly comprised of Community Health Insurance Committee (CHIC) representatives. Monitoring is carried out at all levels, including by the NHIS, district schemes, and health care providers.

See Figure 1 below for an illustrative depiction of the institutional structure of the NHIS.

National Health Insurance Scheme, Ghana, Institutional Framework

Its mandate is “to secure the implementation of a national health insurance policy that ensures basic healthcare services to all residents.” Section 3 of the Act establishes the governing body of the Authority, known as the National Health Insurance Council (NHIC), which administers the National Health Insurance Fund. The President of Ghana is given sole power to appoint the chairperson and members of the Council.

CHIC representatives represent geographically determined ‘Health Insurance Communities’ within each district. The CHIC exists officially to oversee the collection of contributions within its designated Health Insurance Community, to supervise the deposit of these into the District Health Insurance Fund, and to represent community interests in the management structures of the DWMHIS.

The figure below presents an illustrative depiction of the financial structure of the NHIS, including sources of cash flow and the organizational structure of the management of NHIS financial resources.

Cash flow of the NHIS

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.

Read full section

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.