scholarly journals Why is women’s utilization of a publicly funded health insurance low?: a qualitative study in Tamil Nadu, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajalakshmi RamPrakash ◽  
Lakshmi Lingam
Keyword(s):  
Health Insurance ◽  
Universal Health Coverage ◽  
Inpatient Care ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Financial Protection ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Publicly Funded ◽  
Insurance Scheme ◽  
Gender Barriers ◽  
Universal Health

Abstract Background The continuing impetus for universal health coverage has given rise to publicly funded health insurance schemes in lower-middle income countries. However, there is insufficient understanding of how universal health coverage schemes impact gender equality and equity. This paper attempts to understand why utilization of a publicly funded health insurance scheme has been found to be lower among women compared to men in a southern Indian state. It aims to identify the gender barriers across various social institutions that thwart the policy objectives of providing financial protection and improved access to inpatient care for women. Methods A qualitative study on the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme was carried out in urban and rural impoverished localities in Tamil Nadu, a southern state in India. Thirty-three women and 16 men who had a recent history of hospitalization and 14 stakeholders were purposefully interviewed. Transcribed interviews were content analyzed based on Naila Kabeer’s Social Relations Framework using gender as an analytical category. Results While unpacking the navigation pathways of women to utilize publicly funded health insurance to access inpatient care, gender barriers are found operating at the household, community, and programmatic levels. Unpaid care work, financial dependence, mobility constraints, and gender norms emerged as the major gender-specific barriers arising from the household. Exclusions from insurance enrollment activities at the community level were mediated by a variety of social inequities. Market ideologies in insurance and health, combined with poor governance by State, resulted in out-of-pocket health expenditures, acute information asymmetry, selective availability of care, and poor acceptability. These gender barriers were found to be mediated by all four institutions—household, community, market, and State—resulting in lower utilization of the scheme by women. Conclusions Health policies which aim to provide financial protection and improve access to healthcare services need to address gender as a crucial social determinant. A gender-blind health insurance can not only leave many pre-existing gender barriers unaddressed but also accentuate others. This paper stresses that universal health coverage policy and programs need to have an explicit focus on gender and other social determinants to promote access and equity.

scholarly journals Narrowing the Gap of Inequity in the Indonesia’s National Social Health Insurance Scheme, 2014-2018

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hasbullah Thabrany ◽  
Ryan R. Nugraha ◽  
Ery Setiawan ◽  
Farah Purwaningrum
Keyword(s):  
Health Insurance ◽  
National Health Insurance ◽  
Universal Health Coverage ◽  
Low Income ◽  
National Health Insurance Scheme ◽  
Income Group ◽  
Health Insurance Scheme ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Insurance Scheme ◽  
Universal Health

Abstract Background. Indonesia is nearing its 7-year implementation of its national health insurance scheme, or the Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional (JKN), as a facilitator for achieving universal health coverage (UHC). Despite its long-running system, it is contentious as to whether JKN has been narrowing the gap of inequity in its delivery. This paper aims to explore on whether the national health insurance scheme in Indonesia have been promoting equity of access towards health services.Methods. This study analyzes findings from JKN statistic data of 2014-2018 published by Government of Indonesia. Using a retrospective design, this study identified membership and utilization of health services within JKN, based on different membership enrollment groups as proxy for income.Results. JKN has been expanding its enrollment significantly within 5 years, during year 2014 to 2018. Moreover, the study concludes that there was increased access for outpatient in all membership groups. Inpatient care was increased in low-income group, but not in high-income group. Result also showed inpatient access was correlated with adequate supply side intervention, particularly hospital beds.Conclusion. JKN has been successful in narrowing the inequity gap, particularly by serving the low-income group better in terms of access. Going forward, equity needs to be incorporated into JKN achievement indicator, particularly to accelerate Indonesia’s effort to realize universal health coverage.

scholarly journals Ghana’s Journey towards Universal Health Coverage: The Role of the National Health Insurance Scheme

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 94-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kipo-Sunyehzi ◽  
Amogre Ayanore ◽  
Dzidzonu ◽  
Ayalsuma Yakubu
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
National Health Insurance ◽  
National Health ◽  
Universal Health Coverage ◽  
National Health Insurance Scheme ◽  
Health Insurance Scheme ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Insurance Scheme ◽  
Universal Health

: Background: the main aim of the study is to find if the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Ghana is achieving universal health coverage (UHC) or not. The study gives the trajectories of health policies in Ghana and their implications on long term health financing. NHIS in Ghana was implemented in 2004, with the aim of increasing subscribers’ access to health care services and reduce financial barriers to health care. On equity access to healthcare, it addresses two core concerns: (1) enrolling particular groups (persons exempted from annual premium payments) and (2) achieving UHC for all citizens and persons with legal residence. It utilizes a multifactor approach to the conceptualization of UHC. The research question: is Ghana’s NHIS on course to deliver or achieve universal health coverage? Methods: we used qualitative methods. In doing so, the study engaged participants in in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and direct observations of participants in their natural settings, like hospitals, clinics, offices and homes, with purposive and snowball techniques. This data triangulation approach aims to increase the reliability and validity of findings. Results: the empirical evidence shows NHIS performed relatively well in enrolling more exempt groups (particular groups) than enrolling all persons in Ghana (UHC). The biggest challenge for the implementation of NHIS from the perspectives of health insurance officials is inadequate funding. The health insurance beneficiaries complained of delays during registrations and renewals. They also complained of poor attitude of some health insurance officials and health workers at facilities. Conclusions: both health insurance officials and beneficiaries emphasized the need for increased public education and for implementers to adopt a friendly attitude towards clients. To move towards achieving UHC, there is a need to redesign the policy, to move it from current voluntary contributions, to adopt a broad tax-based approach to cover all citizens and persons with legal residence in Ghana. Also, to adopt a flexible premium payment system (specifically ‘payments by installation’ or ‘part payments’) and widen the scope of exempt groups as a way of enrolling more into the NHIS.

scholarly journals Gambaran Out of Pocket pada Awal Era JKN di Indonesia

2018 ◽  
pp. 141-146
Author(s):  
Ingan Tarigan ◽  
Taty Suryati
Keyword(s):  
Health Insurance ◽  
Universal Health Coverage ◽  
Health Expenditures ◽  
Health Care Expenditures ◽  
Financial Protection ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Medical Expenses ◽  
The Poor ◽  
The Government ◽  
Universal Health

Abstrak Pogram Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional (JKN) salah satunya bertujuan memberikan perlindungan finansial khususnya biaya katastropik terhadap semua peserta. Penerima manfaat JKN berhak mendapatkan berbagai layanan sebagai bagian dari paket manfaat dasar tanpa mengeluarkan biaya pelayanan, dan diharapkan Out of Pocket (OOP) akan lebih rendah dibandingkan dengan mereka yang tidak memiliki asuransi kesehatan. Tujuan penulisan akan membandingkan total pengeluaran untuk kesehatan dari peserta jaminan kesehatan dengan yang tidak memiliki jaminan kesehatan pada awal era JKN. Dalam analisis ini, pengukuran pengeluaran perawatan kesehatan hanya mencakup biaya pengobatan langsung, seperti biaya konsultasi, pemakaian kamar di rumah sakit dan obat-obatan. Analisis dengan menggunakan data Susenas 2014 terdiri dari 274.673 individu dan 71.051 rumah tangga di 33 provinsi di Indonesia. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pada awal era JKN ada sedikit perbedaan OOP pada penduduk miskin dibandingkan dengan penduduk dimana proteksi finansial terhadap penduduk miskin untuk pengeluaran kesehatan masih rendah.Kepemilikan jaminan kesehatan memberikan proteksi finansial akibat pengeluaran biaya kesehatan, khususnya pengeluaran biaya katastropik dibandingkan dengan yang tidak memiliki jaminan kesehatan. Kepesertaan penduduk miskin ditargetkan tahun 2019 sudah terpenuhi sehingga target pemerintah tentang Universal Health Coverage (UHC) perlindungan finansial pada penduduk miskin dan hampir miskin semakin tinggi atau OOP semakin mendekati nol. Kata kunci: OOP, Pembiayaan, Asuransi Kesehatan Abstract One of the main objectives of the JKN program is to provide financial protection, especially catastrophic costs to all members. JKN beneficiaries are entitled to various services as part of the basic benefit package without incurring service costs, and it is expected that Out of Pocket (OOP) will be lower than those who do not have health insurance. The purpose of writing will be to compare the total health expenditures of health insurance participants or beneficiaries and those without health insurance. In this analysis, the measurement of health care expenditures only includes direct medical expenses, such as consultation fees, hospital room usage and medication. Using Susenas data 2014 consists of 274,673 individuals and 71,051 households in 33 provinces in Indonesia. At the beginning of the JKN implementation, there was little difference of out of pocket in the poorest population compared to the richest population. This shows that financial protection to the poor for health expenditures are still low. The ownership of health insurance tends to provide financial protection due to health expenditures, especially catastrophic expenses compared to those without health insurance. In the Year of 2019 where the government targeted to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) expected protection financial on the poor and near poor is getting higher or out of pocket or getting closer up to zero. Keywords: OOP, Financial Protection, Health Insurance

scholarly journals Sustaining the National Health Insurance Scheme in Ghana: Perceptions and Experiences of Health Care Providers and Subscribers

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Amangbey Emmanuel ◽  
Gandiibu A. Julius ◽  
Gbaran Gbolo
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
National Health Insurance ◽  
Universal Health Coverage ◽  
National Health Insurance Scheme ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Insurance Scheme ◽  
Universal Health

The establishment of the National Health Insurance Scheme was as a consequence of government effort at adopting a sustainable health care financing system with the aim of achieving universal health coverage. This study therefore explored the perceptions and experiences of health care providers and subscribers regarding the sustenance of the NHIS in Ghana. The study employed a mixed method design using survey questionnaires and in-depth face-to-face interviews. The study revealed that NHIS had contributed to the revenue base of service providers and increased healthcare utilisation at provider centres. The inability of health care providers to provide essential medicines and perceived poor quality of health care were identified as challenges to subscribers. The study concludes that the NHIS has the potential of ensuring universal health coverage provided stakeholders make deliberate efforts at addressing the obvious sustainable threats identified.

scholarly journals Exploring willingness to pay for health insurance and preferences for a benefits package from the perspective of women from low-income households of Karachi, Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shifa Salman Habib ◽  
Shehla Zaidi
Keyword(s):  
Health Insurance ◽  
Universal Health Coverage ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Insurance Scheme ◽  
Insurance Benefits ◽  
Universal Health ◽  
Benefits Package ◽  
Low Income Households

Abstract Background Achieving universal health coverage (UHC) and reduction in out of pocket (OOP) expenditures on health, is a critical target of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). In low-middle income countries, micro-health insurance (MHI) schemes have emerged as a useful financing tool for laying grounds for Universal Health Coverage. The aim of this study was to provide evidence for designing a feasible health insurance scheme targeted at urban poor, by exploring preferences for an insurance benefits package and co-payments among women from low-income households in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted using household surveys between July–August 2015. A total of 167 female beneficiaries of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), a large-scale cash transfer scheme targeted at low-income households, were recruited in Karachi through a mix of convenience and snowball sampling. Hypothetical insurance benefits packages for a prospective health insurance scheme were formulated to capture respondents’ preferences for health insurance benefits package and co-payments. All data was analyzed using Stata (version 13). Results Respondents reporting expenditure on OPD and hospitalization in the last 2 weeks were 93.4 and 11.9% respectively. The highest median expenditure was incurred on medicines. Out of the proposed benefits package, a majority (53%) of the study participants opted for the comprehensive benefits package that provided coverage for emergency care, hospitalization, OPD consultation, diagnostic tests and transportation. For the co-payment plan, 38.9% participants preferred no co-payments that is 100% insurance coverage of medicines followed by hospitalization (25.9%). Nearly half of the respondents (49.4%) chose outpatient consultation for 50% co-payment. A majority of the participants (65.3%) agreed to 100% co-payment for the transportation cost. Conclusion Health insurance schemes can be introduced in urban areas, against collection of micro-payments, to prevent low-income households from facing financial catastrophe. A comprehensive benefits package covering emergency care, hospitalization, OPD consultation, diagnostic tests and transportation, is the most preferred among low-income beneficiaries.

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