Ankit Jain1, Selva Swetha1, Zeena Johar1, Ramesh Raghavan2. 1. IKP Centre for Technologies in Public Health, A2, Amsavalli Illam, 7th Cross Street, Arulananda Nagar, Thanjavur 613007, India. 2. Washington University in St. Louis, Brown School, Campus Box 1196, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA. Electronic address: raghavan@wustl.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To understand the acceptability of, and willingness to pay for, community health insurance coverage among residents of rural India. METHODS: We conducted a mixed methods study of 33 respondents located in 8 villages in southern India. Interview domains focused on health-seeking behaviors of the family for primary healthcare, household expenditures on primary healthcare, interest in pre-paid health insurance, and willingness to pay for such a product. RESULTS: Most respondents reported that they would seek care only when symptoms were manifest; only 6 respondents recognized the importance of preventative services. None reported impoverishment due to health expenditures. Few viewed health insurance as necessary either because they did not wish to be early adopters, because they had alternate sources of financial support, or because of concerns with the design of insurance coverage or the provider. Those who were interested reported being willing to pay Rs. 1500 ($27) as the modal annual insurance premium. CONCLUSIONS: Penetration of community health insurance programs in rural India will require education of the consumer base, careful attention to premium rate setting, and deeper understanding of social networks that may act as financial substitutes for health insurance.
OBJECTIVES: To understand the acceptability of, and willingness to pay for, community health insurance coverage among residents of rural India. METHODS: We conducted a mixed methods study of 33 respondents located in 8 villages in southern India. Interview domains focused on health-seeking behaviors of the family for primary healthcare, household expenditures on primary healthcare, interest in pre-paid health insurance, and willingness to pay for such a product. RESULTS: Most respondents reported that they would seek care only when symptoms were manifest; only 6 respondents recognized the importance of preventative services. None reported impoverishment due to health expenditures. Few viewed health insurance as necessary either because they did not wish to be early adopters, because they had alternate sources of financial support, or because of concerns with the design of insurance coverage or the provider. Those who were interested reported being willing to pay Rs. 1500 ($27) as the modal annual insurance premium. CONCLUSIONS: Penetration of community health insurance programs in rural India will require education of the consumer base, careful attention to premium rate setting, and deeper understanding of social networks that may act as financial substitutes for health insurance.
Authors: Jens-Oliver Bock; Dirk Heider; Herbert Matschinger; Hermann Brenner; Kai-Uwe Saum; Walter E Haefeli; Hans-Helmut König Journal: Eur J Health Econ Date: 2014-12-20
Authors: Essam Ali Al-Sanaani; Aniza Ismail; Mohd Rizal Abdul Manaf; Leny Suzana Suddin; Norlaila Mustafa; Norlela Sukor; Alabed Ali A Alabed; Ahmed Abdelmajed Alkhodary; Syed Mohamed Aljunid Journal: PLoS One Date: 2022-05-05 Impact factor: 3.752