Description:
Health financing systems in some Europe
and Central Asia (ECA) countries are undergoing some major
reforms. In parallel with the transition from central
planning to develop market-based economies, countries in
Central Europe have moved within a relatively short period
of time from having health systems that were government
managed and funded by taxes to single health insurance
systems that are payroll-funded. The next chapter (chapter
two) describes the insurance context in Austria, the
Netherlands, Slovakia, and Switzerland. Chapter three
examines risk selection in a multiple insurance system.
Risk-adjusters and equalization schemes in different
countries are discussed as well as the resulting incentives
for insurance companies to develop cost containment
strategies. Chapter four discusses whether and how insurers
compete for providers, including the different forms of
managed care contracts that have evolved under multiple
insurance and the impact of such contracts on policy goals.
Chapter five describes consumer choice in different health
financing systems and whether consumers are exercising their
choice to switch insurers and plans. Chapter six presents an
overview of the different options for insurance reforms. The
final chapter will identify the main lessons drawn from the
preceding chapters and will present potential policy
solutions for increasing the effectiveness of insurance
systems, including the necessary regulatory framework to
prevent adverse effects, purchasing, improved risk pooling,
and monitoring and evaluation systems.