Voluntary Health Insurance in Europe: Country Experience

Voluntary Health Insurance in Europe: Country Experience

Author: Sagan A.

Publisher: World Health Organization

Published: 2016-07-20

Total Pages: 163

ISBN-13: 9289050373

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No two markets for voluntary health insurance (VHI) are identical. All differ in some way because they are heavily shaped by the nature and performance of publicly financed health systems and by the contexts in which they have evolved. This volume contains short structured profiles of markets for VHI in 34 countries in Europe. These are drawn from European Union member states plus Armenia Iceland Georgia Norway the Russian Federation Switzerland and Ukraine. The book is aimed at policy-makers and researchers interested in knowing more about how VHI works in practice in a wide range of contexts. Each profile written by one or more local experts identifies gaps in publicly-financed health coverage describes the role VHI plays outlines the way in which the market for VHI operates summarises public policy towards VHI including major developments over time and highlights national debates and challenges. The book is part of a study on VHI in Europe prepared jointly by the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and the WHO Regional Office for Europe. A companion volume provides an analytical overview of VHI markets across the 34 countries.


Book Synopsis Voluntary Health Insurance in Europe: Country Experience by : Sagan A.

Download or read book Voluntary Health Insurance in Europe: Country Experience written by Sagan A. and published by World Health Organization. This book was released on 2016-07-20 with total page 163 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: No two markets for voluntary health insurance (VHI) are identical. All differ in some way because they are heavily shaped by the nature and performance of publicly financed health systems and by the contexts in which they have evolved. This volume contains short structured profiles of markets for VHI in 34 countries in Europe. These are drawn from European Union member states plus Armenia Iceland Georgia Norway the Russian Federation Switzerland and Ukraine. The book is aimed at policy-makers and researchers interested in knowing more about how VHI works in practice in a wide range of contexts. Each profile written by one or more local experts identifies gaps in publicly-financed health coverage describes the role VHI plays outlines the way in which the market for VHI operates summarises public policy towards VHI including major developments over time and highlights national debates and challenges. The book is part of a study on VHI in Europe prepared jointly by the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and the WHO Regional Office for Europe. A companion volume provides an analytical overview of VHI markets across the 34 countries.


Voluntary Health Insurance in Europe: Role and Regulation

Voluntary Health Insurance in Europe: Role and Regulation

Author: Sagan A.

Publisher: World Health Organization

Published: 2016-07-20

Total Pages: 136

ISBN-13: 9289050381

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If public resources were unlimited there would be no gaps in health coverage and no real need for VHI. However most health systems face fiscal constraints and VHI is often seen as a way to address these pressures. This study draws from the experiences of 34 countries to assess VHI s contribution to health spending and to understand its role in Europe and in relation to publicly financed coverage. It looks at who sells VHI who purchases it and why. It also reviews public policy towards VHI at national and EU levels and the related national policy debates. The analysis shows that while the different markets for VHI vary considerably in size operation and regulation the vast majority are small. Where there are substantial markets these tend to be the oldest ones having a tradition of non-profit insurers and to be the most heavily regulated to ensure VHI policies are accessible and affordable. The study also suggests that VHI is normally a better way of meeting population health needs than out-of-pocket payments although there are notable exceptions. VHI can contribute to financial protection especially where it plays a substitutive and complementary role covering co-payments. However it is a complex challenging and highly context-specific policy instrument that may undermine other health system goals including equitable access efficiency transparency and accountability even where markets are well regulated. Policy-makers should therefore exercise real caution before expanding VHI to fill coverage gaps. This volume and its companion set of country profiles were developed jointly by the Observatory s LSE hub and the WHO Regional Office for Europe. The study draws on contributions from national experts from the EU EFTA and other countries in Europe.


Book Synopsis Voluntary Health Insurance in Europe: Role and Regulation by : Sagan A.

Download or read book Voluntary Health Insurance in Europe: Role and Regulation written by Sagan A. and published by World Health Organization. This book was released on 2016-07-20 with total page 136 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: If public resources were unlimited there would be no gaps in health coverage and no real need for VHI. However most health systems face fiscal constraints and VHI is often seen as a way to address these pressures. This study draws from the experiences of 34 countries to assess VHI s contribution to health spending and to understand its role in Europe and in relation to publicly financed coverage. It looks at who sells VHI who purchases it and why. It also reviews public policy towards VHI at national and EU levels and the related national policy debates. The analysis shows that while the different markets for VHI vary considerably in size operation and regulation the vast majority are small. Where there are substantial markets these tend to be the oldest ones having a tradition of non-profit insurers and to be the most heavily regulated to ensure VHI policies are accessible and affordable. The study also suggests that VHI is normally a better way of meeting population health needs than out-of-pocket payments although there are notable exceptions. VHI can contribute to financial protection especially where it plays a substitutive and complementary role covering co-payments. However it is a complex challenging and highly context-specific policy instrument that may undermine other health system goals including equitable access efficiency transparency and accountability even where markets are well regulated. Policy-makers should therefore exercise real caution before expanding VHI to fill coverage gaps. This volume and its companion set of country profiles were developed jointly by the Observatory s LSE hub and the WHO Regional Office for Europe. The study draws on contributions from national experts from the EU EFTA and other countries in Europe.


Impact of Health Insurance in Low- and Middle-income Countries

Impact of Health Insurance in Low- and Middle-income Countries

Author: Maria-Luisa Escobar

Publisher: Brookings Institution Press

Published: 2010

Total Pages: 239

ISBN-13: 0815705468

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Over the past twenty years, many low- and middle-income countries have experimented with health insurance options. While their plans have varied widely in scale and ambition, their goals are the same: to make health services more affordable through the use of public subsidies while also moving care providers partially or fully into competitive markets. Until now, however, we have known little about the actual effects of these dramatic policy changes. Understanding the impact of health insurance-based care is key to the public policy debate of whether to extend insurance to low-income populationsand if so, how to do itor to serve them through other means.


Book Synopsis Impact of Health Insurance in Low- and Middle-income Countries by : Maria-Luisa Escobar

Download or read book Impact of Health Insurance in Low- and Middle-income Countries written by Maria-Luisa Escobar and published by Brookings Institution Press. This book was released on 2010 with total page 239 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Over the past twenty years, many low- and middle-income countries have experimented with health insurance options. While their plans have varied widely in scale and ambition, their goals are the same: to make health services more affordable through the use of public subsidies while also moving care providers partially or fully into competitive markets. Until now, however, we have known little about the actual effects of these dramatic policy changes. Understanding the impact of health insurance-based care is key to the public policy debate of whether to extend insurance to low-income populationsand if so, how to do itor to serve them through other means.


Organization and Financing of Public Health Services in Europe

Organization and Financing of Public Health Services in Europe

Author: Who Regional Office for Europe

Publisher: World Health Organization

Published: 2018-06-29

Total Pages: 148

ISBN-13: 9289051701

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What are public health services? Countries across Europe understand what they are or what they should include differently. This study describes the experiences of nine countries detailing the ways they have opted to organize and finance public health services and train and employ their public health workforce. It covers England France Germany Italy the Netherlands Slovenia Sweden Poland and the Republic of Moldova and aims to give insights into current practice that will support decision-makers in their efforts to strengthen public health capacities and services. Each country chapter captures the historical background of public health services and the context in which they operate; sets out the main organizational structures; assesses the sources of public health financing and how it is allocated; explains the training and employment of the public health workforce; and analyses existing frameworks for quality and performance assessment. The study reveals a wide range of experience and variation across Europe and clearly illustrates two fundamentally different approaches to public health services: integration with curative health services (as in Slovenia or Sweden) or organization and provision through a separate parallel structure (Republic of Moldova). The case studies explore the context that explain this divergence and its implications. This study is the result of close collaboration between the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and the WHO Regional Office for Europe Division of Health Systems and Public Health. It accompanies two other Observatory publications Organization and financing of public health services in Europe and The role of public health organizations in addressing public health problems in Europe: the case of obesity alcohol and antimicrobial resistance (both forthcoming).


Book Synopsis Organization and Financing of Public Health Services in Europe by : Who Regional Office for Europe

Download or read book Organization and Financing of Public Health Services in Europe written by Who Regional Office for Europe and published by World Health Organization. This book was released on 2018-06-29 with total page 148 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What are public health services? Countries across Europe understand what they are or what they should include differently. This study describes the experiences of nine countries detailing the ways they have opted to organize and finance public health services and train and employ their public health workforce. It covers England France Germany Italy the Netherlands Slovenia Sweden Poland and the Republic of Moldova and aims to give insights into current practice that will support decision-makers in their efforts to strengthen public health capacities and services. Each country chapter captures the historical background of public health services and the context in which they operate; sets out the main organizational structures; assesses the sources of public health financing and how it is allocated; explains the training and employment of the public health workforce; and analyses existing frameworks for quality and performance assessment. The study reveals a wide range of experience and variation across Europe and clearly illustrates two fundamentally different approaches to public health services: integration with curative health services (as in Slovenia or Sweden) or organization and provision through a separate parallel structure (Republic of Moldova). The case studies explore the context that explain this divergence and its implications. This study is the result of close collaboration between the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and the WHO Regional Office for Europe Division of Health Systems and Public Health. It accompanies two other Observatory publications Organization and financing of public health services in Europe and The role of public health organizations in addressing public health problems in Europe: the case of obesity alcohol and antimicrobial resistance (both forthcoming).


Voluntary Health Insurance in the European Union

Voluntary Health Insurance in the European Union

Author: Elias Mossialos

Publisher:

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 212

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis Voluntary Health Insurance in the European Union by : Elias Mossialos

Download or read book Voluntary Health Insurance in the European Union written by Elias Mossialos and published by . This book was released on 2004 with total page 212 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


Implementing Health Financing Reform

Implementing Health Financing Reform

Author: Joseph Kutzin

Publisher: Observatory Studies

Published: 2010

Total Pages: 438

ISBN-13:

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Analyses the experience with the financing reforms implemented by the countries of Central Europe, Eastern Europe, the Cauxasus and Central Asia.


Book Synopsis Implementing Health Financing Reform by : Joseph Kutzin

Download or read book Implementing Health Financing Reform written by Joseph Kutzin and published by Observatory Studies. This book was released on 2010 with total page 438 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Analyses the experience with the financing reforms implemented by the countries of Central Europe, Eastern Europe, the Cauxasus and Central Asia.


Health at a Glance: Europe 2020 State of Health in the EU Cycle

Health at a Glance: Europe 2020 State of Health in the EU Cycle

Author: OECD

Publisher: OECD Publishing

Published: 2020-11-19

Total Pages: 237

ISBN-13: 926481194X

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The 2020 edition of Health at a Glance: Europe focuses on the impact of the COVID‐19 crisis. Chapter 1 provides an initial assessment of the resilience of European health systems to the COVID-19 pandemic and their ability to contain and respond to the worst pandemic in the past century.


Book Synopsis Health at a Glance: Europe 2020 State of Health in the EU Cycle by : OECD

Download or read book Health at a Glance: Europe 2020 State of Health in the EU Cycle written by OECD and published by OECD Publishing. This book was released on 2020-11-19 with total page 237 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The 2020 edition of Health at a Glance: Europe focuses on the impact of the COVID‐19 crisis. Chapter 1 provides an initial assessment of the resilience of European health systems to the COVID-19 pandemic and their ability to contain and respond to the worst pandemic in the past century.


Health at a Glance: Europe 2016 State of Health in the EU Cycle

Health at a Glance: Europe 2016 State of Health in the EU Cycle

Author: OECD

Publisher: OECD Publishing

Published: 2016-11-23

Total Pages: 204

ISBN-13: 9264265597

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This fourth edition of Health at a Glance: Europe presents key indicators of health and health systems in the 28 EU countries, 5 candidate countries to the EU and 3 EFTA countries.


Book Synopsis Health at a Glance: Europe 2016 State of Health in the EU Cycle by : OECD

Download or read book Health at a Glance: Europe 2016 State of Health in the EU Cycle written by OECD and published by OECD Publishing. This book was released on 2016-11-23 with total page 204 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This fourth edition of Health at a Glance: Europe presents key indicators of health and health systems in the 28 EU countries, 5 candidate countries to the EU and 3 EFTA countries.


Improving Healthcare Quality in Europe Characteristics, Effectiveness and Implementation of Different Strategies

Improving Healthcare Quality in Europe Characteristics, Effectiveness and Implementation of Different Strategies

Author: OECD

Publisher: OECD Publishing

Published: 2019-10-17

Total Pages: 447

ISBN-13: 9264805907

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This volume, developed by the Observatory together with OECD, provides an overall conceptual framework for understanding and applying strategies aimed at improving quality of care. Crucially, it summarizes available evidence on different quality strategies and provides recommendations for their implementation. This book is intended to help policy-makers to understand concepts of quality and to support them to evaluate single strategies and combinations of strategies.


Book Synopsis Improving Healthcare Quality in Europe Characteristics, Effectiveness and Implementation of Different Strategies by : OECD

Download or read book Improving Healthcare Quality in Europe Characteristics, Effectiveness and Implementation of Different Strategies written by OECD and published by OECD Publishing. This book was released on 2019-10-17 with total page 447 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This volume, developed by the Observatory together with OECD, provides an overall conceptual framework for understanding and applying strategies aimed at improving quality of care. Crucially, it summarizes available evidence on different quality strategies and provides recommendations for their implementation. This book is intended to help policy-makers to understand concepts of quality and to support them to evaluate single strategies and combinations of strategies.


Social Health Insurance for Developing Nations

Social Health Insurance for Developing Nations

Author: R. Paul Shaw

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 2007-01-01

Total Pages: 188

ISBN-13: 0821369504

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Specialist groups have often advised health ministers and other decision makers in developing countries on the use of social health insurance (SHI) as a way of mobilizing revenue for health, reforming health sector performance, and providing universal coverage. This book reviews the specific design and implementation challenges facing SHI in low- and middle-income countries and presents case studies on Ghana, Kenya, Philippines, Colombia, and Thailand.


Book Synopsis Social Health Insurance for Developing Nations by : R. Paul Shaw

Download or read book Social Health Insurance for Developing Nations written by R. Paul Shaw and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2007-01-01 with total page 188 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Specialist groups have often advised health ministers and other decision makers in developing countries on the use of social health insurance (SHI) as a way of mobilizing revenue for health, reforming health sector performance, and providing universal coverage. This book reviews the specific design and implementation challenges facing SHI in low- and middle-income countries and presents case studies on Ghana, Kenya, Philippines, Colombia, and Thailand.