MR Microinsurance_2012_03_29.indd - International Labour ...

Innovations and barriers in health microinsurance
The selection of metrics and the continuous tracking of performance measurement
play a role in advancing healthcare access and quality. Ideally, management
attention should focus on measuring and tracking HMI programme indicators
as well as client health outcomes.
5.4.5 A coordinated effort to expand member benefits
Overall, the evidence review indicates that programmes can approach health
financing either to reduce vulnerability (focusing on a catastrophic event or inpatient
care) or to improve health outcomes (focusing on outpatient care, prevention
and chronic care). These two perspectives present a conundrum: the
former is more aligned with principles of insurance, but clients desire the latter.
Through efficient business models, customized benefit packages and varied payment
plans, HMI programmes should seek a balance between the two perspectives.
The solution should also make use of public-private partnerships (PPPs),
combining the public sector’s ability to source funding, pool large groups and
ease regulatory issues with the private sector’s innovation, insurance expertise,
efficiency and technology.
Thus, the way forward for health microinsurance lies with the combined
efforts of policymakers, the private sector, NGOs, government officials, management
educators and technology firms. Ultimately, no efforts, even combined
efforts, are likely to be successful unless inputs from the most important stakeholder
– the potential client – are constantly solicited and utilized.
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