Publication
Title
Mutual health insurance in Rwanda : evidence on access to care and financial risk protection
Author
Abstract
Objective Rwanda has expanded mutual health insurance considerably in recent years, which has a great potential for making health services more accessible. In this paper, we examine the effect of mutual health insurance (MHI) on utilization of health services and financial risk protection. Methods We used data from a nationally representative survey from 20052006. We analysed this data through summary statistics as well as regression models. Findings Our statistical modelling shows that MHI coverage is associated with significantly increased utilization of health services. Indeed, individuals in households that had MHI coverage used health services twice as much when they were ill as those in households that had no insurance coverage. Additionally, MHI is also associated with a higher degree of financial risk protection and the incidence of catastrophic health expenditure was almost four times less than in households with no coverage. Nonetheless, the limitations of the MHI coverage also become apparent. Conclusion These promising results indicate that MHI has had a strong positive impact on access to health care and can continue to improve health of Rwandans even more if its limitations are addressed further.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Health policy. - Amsterdam
Publication
Amsterdam : 2011
ISSN
0168-8510
DOI
10.1016/J.HEALTHPOL.2010.09.009
Volume/pages
99 :3 (2011) , p. 203-209
ISI
000287887500003
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 31.05.2011
Last edited 15.11.2022
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