The income transfer effect, the access value of insurance and the Rand health insurance experiment.
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Health Expenditures↗
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Mortality in the uninsured compared with that in persons with public and private health insurance.
OBJECTIVE: To compare mortality in persons with employer-provided health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, military health benefits, other private health insurance, and no health insurance, before and after adjustment for income and employment status. DESIGN: Cohort study using national survey data containing information on social, economic, and demographic factors and health insurance, with deaths identified through matching to the National Death Index resulting in a mortality follow-up period of 5 years. SETTING: Noninstitutionalized population of the United States. PARTICIPANTS: Approximately 150,000 respondents to national surveys conducted by the US Bureau of the Census (Current Population Surveys), aged 25 to 64 years. RESULTS: After adjustment for age and income, persons with Medicare and Medicaid had the highest mortality in comparison with those with employer-provided insurance, with relative risks generally greater than 2. With adjustment for age and income, persons without insurance had higher mortality than those with employer-provided insurance, with relative risks of 1.2 for white men and 1.5 for white women. These relationships held after adjustment for employment status, with the working uninsured showing mortality between 1.2 and 1.3 times higher than that of the working insured. Mortality was higher in those with lower incomes after adjustment for insurance status. Those with annual income of $10,000 or less per year had mortality about two times that of persons with incomes greater than $25,000 per year. CONCLUSION: Mortality was lowest in employed persons with employer-provided health insurance. The higher mortality in those with public insurance or with no insurance reflects an indeterminate mix of selection on existing health status and access to medical care.
Adult↗
Physicians perception of health insurance in Saudi Arabia.
OBJECTIVE: To assess physicians views on health insurance and its implication on the health care system. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional study in 2 major hospitals in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected from January to December 2002 through self-administered questionnaires that were distributed to a total sample of 400 physicians. The instrument consisted of 28 items that focused on assessing physicians' perception towards health insurance and its effect on health services. We performed a descriptive statistics and analysis of variance using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. RESULTS: Overall, 151 physicians (38%) completed the survey. This study clearly shows that access to health care services is a major concern; more than 94% of the respondents agree that everyone in the Kingdom should have access to healthcare services. Respondents also agree that health insurance will improve access to healthcare services for all citizens. Physicians also believed that health insurance would lead to more regulations and utilization review of services, create more competition between healthcare providers, and create new jobs in the healthcare sector. Saudi physicians reported a higher mean score for 11 items with significant p-values as compared with non-Saudi physicians. CONCLUSION: Physicians in this survey believed that accessibility is a major policy concern, and that health insurance will have a positive effect on access to the health care system. Yet, accessibility is an illusive term with many aspects that go beyond the identification of need for health care to the actual delivery of health care services and the organizational structures to match the needs of society. Cooperation as a national health system should be built on collaborative efforts rather than market competition in itself. It has been suggested that markets are stronger in the role of delivery than in the financing of health care, that markets tend to promote more expenditure on technological innovation rather than producing the most desired set of social outcomes. Cooperative health insurance can be an answer to the current problems facing the health care system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as long as it remains cooperative rather than competitive.
Attitude of Health Personnel↗
The Philippines' National Health Insurance Act: a German perspective.
Through the recent National Health Insurance Act (NHIA), the Philippines have committed themselves to introducing a social health insurance with universal coverage within 15 years. Germany was the first country to introduce a social health insurance system more than 100 years ago. Its system is based on the principles of corporatism, federalism and a mandate for equity. Based on a long-term German experience with equity, quality, cost and efficiency issues, the Philippines' NHIA is analysed concerning the entitlement to benefits and the benefit package, the organization of the health insurance programme, health insurance financing, and provider payment mechanisms. It is suggested that the Philippines could profit from including preventive and promotive services as well as pharmaceuticals in the benefits package. The organization of the health insurance system could be decentralized using the 13 regions as its principal units. To achieve financial equity between regions and health funds, a contribution compensation scheme is proposed. To prevent over-utilization in over-served areas and to promote utilization in under-served areas, a relative value scale for fee-for-service payments seem advisable.
Fee-for-Service Plans↗
Implementation principles and strategies for Title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program). Academy of Pediatrics. Committee on Child Health Financing.
A major provision of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 established the State Children's Health Insurance Program (Title XXI of the Social Security Act). This program is a historic milestone in the financing of health care for children. Not since the enactment of Medicaid has there been a greater investment in children's health care. Title XXI does not create universal coverage for all children, but this program does offer an unprecedented opportunity to expand insurance ot a large portion of uninsured children. Title XXI of the Social Security Act makes >$40 billion in federal grants available to states over the next 10 years to provide health insurance coverage, including Medicaid. However, states mus contribute a defined share of funds to obtain federal matching funds. The legislation gives great flexibility to states in designing and implementing their programs, and it is critical that they do this in a timely manner. If states fail to use all State Children's Health Insurance Program funds available, it is possible that future federal funding will be reduced. If this happens, a major opportunity to improve health insurance coverage of America's children will be diminished.
Child↗
The role of health insurance in the growth of the private health sector in Korea.
The Korean health care system has been recognized by other countries for its rapid expansion of national health insurance. The government's policy of promoting the private sector, relying on market forces for various allocation decisions, and using the fee-for-service payment system has created a number of challenges for the Korean health system. Among these are rapid growth of health care expenditure, proliferation and duplication of medical technology, and lack of access for low-income groups due to high out-of-pocket payments for services covered by insurance. A number of recommendations are made concerning national health policy, modifying health insurance, and developing political consensus for bringing about health reform.
Developing Countries↗
Employer-sponsored health insurance in 1991.
Since 1987 the Health Insurance Association of America (HIAA) has documented features of employer-sponsored group health insurance through detailed surveys of over 3,000 U.S. firms. The 1991 employer survey reveals several noteworthy developments. The percentage of small firms (100 employees and under) that offer health insurance to their employees has declined since 1989. With a significant increase in health maintenance organization (HMO) market share, more than half (54 percent) of employees in employer-sponsored plans are now covered by managed care plans. Premiums increased 14 percent in 1991, showing identical increases for conventional, HMO, and preferred provider organization (PPO) plans. The percentage of employees in self-insured health plans decreased from 45 percent in 1990 to 40 percent in 1991.
Cost Control↗
Symposium on our public relatins and the work and aims of the Health Insurance Council. Government participation in health care. The Canadian situation 1959.
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Canada↗
Health insurance systems in Japan: a neurosurgeon's view.
The health insurance system in Japan is compared to the U.S. system from a neurosurgeon's perspective. The Japanese entire population is enrolled in mandatory health insurance without choice based on employment and residence, called "Health-insurance-for-all." Elderly Health Insurance for senior people aged 70 years or older is set within each health organization. As the relative financial conditions are variable among health insurance organizations, financial adjustment is done. The medical fee is set for all the procedures and products that are paid by health insurance which sets the prices. The same fee schedule applies to both private-practice physicians and hospitals. In the U.S. system, there are numerous fee schedules including both doctor fees and hospital fees. Any extra charges (balance billing) for procedures or materials that are not listed in the fee schedule are strictly prohibited. There is an escape clause that is called the specified medical fee system ("Tokutei Ryoyohi" in Japanese). Some designated items can be exceptionally paid by health insurance fee schedule. Many Japanese neurosurgeons express dissatisfaction with the lack of approval for medical materials which have already been used safely in other countries. The retrospective claim review process includes intermediaries, quasi-public organizations that act as payment makers to providers and claim review boards. Peer-review boards consist of about 8,000 physicians. The billing process itself using the same, uniform fee schedule is very uncomplicated, and has helped to diminish the need for well-trained and well-paid managers, and controlled administrative costs in Japan. Most medical expenses were consumed by a few patients who underwent high-cost medical care. Medical expenditure for the elderly is already taking 1/3 of national health expenditure, and is projected to reach 1/2 of national health expenditure by the year 2025. There is catastrophic coverage for high-cost care or a cap on monthly co-payment spending (High-Priced Medical Fee system: Kogaku Ryoyohi Seido). To maintain reliable and stable medical insurance systems in the aging society with fewer children in the 21st century, it is essential that fundamental reform is introduced across all systems.
Humans↗
Would national health insurance improve equity and efficiency of health care in South Africa? Lessons from Asia and Latin America.
Arguments for and against national health insurance (NHI) for South Africa are illuminated by the experiences of other middle-income developing countries. In many Latin American and Asian countries the majority of their populations are covered by NHI, coverage having steadily increased over the last decade. Patterns of care under NHI tend to be inefficient--hospital-oriented, highly specialised and technical, with excessive investigation, surgery and medication, neglect of primary care and severe cost escalation. In some cases, however, urban primary care has been promoted through polyclinics and health maintenance organisations. Inequalities in funding, access and utilisation exist between the insured and uninsured, between strata of the insured, and between urban and rural areas. These inequalities have at times been ameliorated by expansion of coverage, subsidisation of poorer beneficiaries and initiation of programmes that extend care to rural areas. NHI can improve or impair efficiency and equity in health care, depending on structures and processes of revenue generation, payment and organisation of care. These depend in turn on how those likely to lose or gain from each option exercise their collective power.
Asia↗
Health insurance in America: a vision of health in the world's richest nation.
Alone among industrialised countries, the USA does not have a comprehensive national health insurance system. There are some federal and state schemes, but for most people the choice is between hefty private insurance premiums or no coverage at all. Now the establishment of an effective NHI has become a key issue in the presidential campaign, says Reva Klein.
National Health Insurance, United States↗
[Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy for Guillain-Barré syndrome in Japan: changes in treatment after its inclusion in health insurance coverage].
In December 2000, health insurance in Japan was instituted for the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy for the acute phase of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) that required aid to walk or worse. A nation-wide questionnaire survey was made to investigate the changes in treatment. In September 2002, a letter of inquiry was sent to experienced physicians in 620 teaching hospitals associated with the Societas Neurologica Japonica and 417 associated with the Societas Paediatrica Japonica. Totally, 356 neurologists (57%) and 223 pediatricians (53%) responded. After the introduction of IVIg health insurance coverage, more than 90% thought that GBS patients should be hospitalized and given treatment. The frequency of hospitals with an intensive care unit, however, was 70%. Before IVIg therapy's inclusion in health insurance coverage, many neurologists selected plasmapheresis (88%) rather than IVIg (4%) therapy, whereas pediatricians preferred IVIg (49%) to plasmapheresis (12%). After its inclusion, 75% of neurologists selected IVIg rather than plasmapheresis (21%), whereas pediatricians selected IVIg (86%) over plasmapheresis (5%). In March 2003, new payment system based on Diagnosis Procedure Combination was introduced into 82 large hospitals, and leads to difficulties to select IVIg in the hospitals. The payment system should be revised.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome↗
[When is a patient carrying a compulsory health insurance obliged to tolerate operative surgery].
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General Surgery↗
Incoherent policies on universal coverage of health insurance and promotion of international trade in health services in Thailand.
The Thai government has implemented universal coverage of health insurance since October 2001. Universal access to antiretroviral (ARV) drugs has also been included since October 2003. These two policies have greatly increased the demand for health services and human resources for health, particularly among public health care providers. After the 1997 economic crisis, private health care providers, with the support of the government, embarked on new marketing strategies targeted at attracting foreign patients. Consequently, increasing numbers of foreign patients are visiting Thailand to seek medical care. In addition, the economic recovery since 2001 has greatly increased the demand for private health services among the Thai population. The increasing demand and much higher financial incentives from urban private providers have attracted health personnel, particularly medical doctors, from rural public health care facilities. Responding to this increasing demand and internal brain drain, in mid-2004 the Thai government approved the increased production of medical doctors by 10,678 in the following 15 years. Many additional financial incentives have also been applied. However, the immediate shortage of human resources needs to be addressed competently and urgently. Equity in health care access under this situation of competing demands from dual track policies is a challenge to policy makers and analysts. This paper summarizes the situation and trends as well as the responses by the Thai government. Both supply and demand side responses are described, and some solutions to restore equity in health care access are proposed.
Health Policy↗
Expanding insurance coverage through tax credits, consumer choice, and market enhancements: the American Medical Association proposal for health insurance reform.
Recent reports showing an increase in the number of uninsured individuals in the United States have given heightened attention to increasing health insurance coverage. The American Medical Association (AMA) has proposed a system of tax credits for the purchase of individually owned health insurance and enhancements to individual and group health insurance markets as a means of expanding coverage. Individually owned insurance would enable people to maintain coverage without disruption to existing patient-physician relationships, regardless of changes in employers or in work status. The AMA's plan would empower individuals to choose their health plan and give patients and their physicians more control over health care choices. Employers could continue to offer employment-based coverage, but employees would not be limited to the health plans offered by their employer. With a tax credit large enough to make coverage affordable and the ability to choose their own coverage, consumers would dramatically transform the individual and group health insurance markets. Health insurers would respond to the demands of individual consumers and be more cautious about increasing premiums. Insurers would also tailor benefit packages and develop new forms of coverage to better match the preferences of individuals and families. The AMA supports the development of new health insurance markets through legislative and regulatory changes to foster a wider array of high-quality, affordable plans.
American Medical Association↗
Citizens' views on health insurance in Croatia.
AIM: To examine the citizens' attitudes toward health insurance and its reform in Croatia, and their views on private payments for health care services. METHOD: In 1999 and 2000, we surveyed 500 randomly selected adults from all regions of Croatia, aged 40 years and over. The questionnaire included questions on social health insurance, private payments for health care, and background information. The net response was 393 (79%). The analysis of the data collected included univariate and multivariate analyses to test the differences in the attitudes among sociodemographic and socioeconomic groups. RESULTS: Most interviewed Croatian citizens (83.2%) expressed the opinion that everybody should have access to health care services, irrespective of the health insurance contributions. However, 32.1% agreed that the utilization of services should depend on the payment of contribution; 39.1% believed that the money they contributed to health insurance corresponded to health care services they received; 60.1% agreed that insurance rate should increase proportionally to income. When asked about reforms, more than half (53.4%) thought that the current health insurance covered less benefits than 10 years earlier, whereas more than a third believed that changes offered more choice (36.9%) but less equity (37.7%), and 46% disagreed with the introduction of the basic package of health care benefits and supplementary insurance. About the same percentage of respondents thought that they had already been paying too much for health care out of their own pockets. CONCLUSION: Citizens in Croatia do not hold a positive opinion on health insurance reform. They fear the changes would bring about limitations in their social rights and increase their financial burden.
Adult↗
Review of universal health insurance: should we try it?
Health care delivery and finances are fragmented in the United States resulting in inaccessible services to many in need. Other countries with universal health insurance have developed systems that provide basic care for all individuals while maintaining costs in a reasonable range. It is time to make tough decisions to enhance the public's health status and gain control over the destiny of medical practice, while considering the bottom line.
Delivery of Health Care↗
The impact of the tax system on health insurance coverage.
A central question in health economics is the extent to which this tax subsidization matters for the health insurance coverage of the U.S. population. I assess the impact of taxes on health insurance by using the considerable existing variation in tax subsidies, both at a point in time and across time. I do so by putting together data from more than a decade of Current Population Survey (CPS) data sets, and matching to workers in those data sets their tax subsidies to health insurance coverage. I find that the elasticity of insurance eligibility of workers is at least -0.6, and that the elasticity of own insurance coverage is roughly similar; the results imply that most of the impact of taxes on insurance coverage arise through firm offering and eligibility decisions. I also find that higher tax rates induce more private coverage through other sources, but less public coverage, so that overall there is a reduction in the rate of uninsurance that is comparable to the change in own employer-provided insurance coverage.
Adult↗