Determinants Perception and Experiences of Beneficiaries of a Hospital-based Community Health Insurance in Coastal Karnataka in India

Abstract

The objective of this study was to find out the perceptions of beneficiaries in comparison to non-beneficiaries of a community-based health insurance scheme. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to carry out this study; a cross-sectional household survey on 1,639 households was carried out, where the respondents were required to rate the services and facilities of the scheme A focus group discussion (FGD) with both the beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries was also carried out. Overall, the services were rated good except in the case of treatment and inpatient services where the responses were rated average. The study results provide evidence that Community Based Health Insurance (CBHI) schemes can be a viable risk sharing mechanism for the informal sector people who would have otherwise not been covered under any health insurance or health care financing mechanism. Maintaining an affordable premium and including outpatient facilities and preventive treatment would improve the satisfaction level of those who have acceptability towards CBHI schemes.