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.
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| Estonia: Estonian Health Insurance Fund |
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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. Read full sectionThe 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:
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:
The health division of the Ministry of Social Affairs is responsible for:
Table 2: Influence on decisions made by the EHIF
(++ Strong Influence; + Moderate Influence; -- No Influence) County governments are responsible for:
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. Estonian Health Insurance FundInstitutional structures Key Actors in Insurance Administration:
Organization: Centralized
Collections Responsibility: Central Government
Operations Responsibility: Central Government
Oversight Responsibility: 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. The Estonian Health Insurance Fund (EHIF) is responsible for the financing of the health system. Its responsibilities include:
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:
The health division of the Ministry of Social Affairs is responsible for:
Table 2: Influence on decisions made by the EHIF
(++ Strong Influence; + Moderate Influence; -- No Influence) County governments are responsible for:
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. |
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| Indonesia: Jamkesmas |
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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 sectionPresently, 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:
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. JamkesmasInstitutional structures Key Actors in Insurance Administration: Central Government, District/Local Government, Commercial insurers
Organization: Decentralized to district/local level
Collections Responsibility: District/Local Government
Operations Responsibility: Central Government, District/Local Government
Oversight Responsibility: 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. 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:
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. |
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| Kyrgyz Republic: Mandatory Health Insurance Fund (MHIF) |
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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 sectionThe 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:
Mandatory Health Insurance Fund (MHIF)Institutional structures Key Actors in Insurance Administration: Central Government
Organization: Centralized
Collections Responsibility: Central Government
Operations Responsibility: Central Government
Oversight Responsibility: 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. 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:
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| Mali: Mutuelles |
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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 sectionAlthough 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.
Table 4 illustrates the institutional framework planned for the Mutuelle system. Table 4: Institutional system for the Mutuelle system
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
Source: Ministry of Social Protection MutuellesInstitutional structures Key Actors in Insurance Administration: Central Government, District/Local Government, Mutuelles
Organization: Decentralized to district/local level
Collections Responsibility: Mutuelles
Operations Responsibility: Mutuelles
Oversight Responsibility: 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.
Table 4 illustrates the institutional framework planned for the Mutuelle system. Table 4: Institutional system for the Mutuelle system
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
Source: Ministry of Social Protection |
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| Ghana: National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) |
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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 sectionThe 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. 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. National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)Institutional structures Key Actors in Insurance Administration: Central Government, District/Local Government
Organization: Decentralized to district/local level
Collections Responsibility: Central Government, District/Local Government
Operations Responsibility: District/Local Government
Oversight Responsibility: 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. See Figure 1 below for an illustrative depiction of the institutional structure of the NHIS. 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. |
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| Philippines: PhilHealth |
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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. Read full sectionThe 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. PhilHealthInstitutional structures Key Actors in Insurance Administration: Central Government
Organization: Centralized
Collections Responsibility: Central Government
Operations Responsibility: Central Government
Oversight Responsibility: 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. 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. |

