Cooperative medical insurance and the cost of care in Shandong, PR China: perspectives of patients and community members.
This research was conducted to identify the cost of care associated with utilization of village clinics and membership of the New Cooperative Medical Scheme (NCMS) in 2 counties of Shandong province, PR China. A total of 397 community members and 297 patients who used the village clinics were interviewed. The average cost for primary care treatment of 1 episode of illness was about 55 yuan (about US$8). Although more than 50% of people had NCMS membership, many consider the monetary reimbursements as insufficient. The low insurance reimbursement rates and inability to pay out-of-pocket expenses compromise access to care. Delays can cause more serious illnesses with potential to overburden the secondary care at the township and county hospitals. Those rural people who have not yet enjoyed the benefits of China's economic development may not benefit from recent health care reform and finance mechanisms unless schemes such as the NCMS provide more substantial subsidies.
Mahmood
Mohammad Afzal
MA
University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia afzal.mahmood@adelaide.edu.au.
Raulli
Alexandra
A
University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia Tropical Population Health Service, Queensland Health, Cairns, Queensland, Australia.
Yan
Wang
W
Health Department of Shandong Province, Jinan, Shandong Province, China.
Dong
Han
H
Health Department of Shandong Province, Jinan, Shandong Province, China.
Aiguo
Zhang
Z
Health Department of Shandong Province, Jinan, Shandong Province, China.
Ping
Dong
D
Health Department of Shandong Province, Jinan, Shandong Province, China.
D000328:Adult; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D005382:Financing, Personal / Q000191:economics*; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012424:Rural Population