title: Willingness to pay for health insurance among HIV-positive patients in India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Standard health insurance products in India currently exclude conditions related to HIV. Although antiretroviral (ARV) drugs are now publicly funded, the burden of treatment due to hospitalization on people living with HIV and AIDS (PLHIV) continues to be high. Unlike many countries, India is yet to eliminate the exclusion clause in standard health insurance products.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The overall aim of this study was to understand if PLHIV would be willing to participate in and purchase commercial health insurance, if it were offered to them.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study uses primary survey data to analyse the burden of treatment due to hospitalization and estimates the willingness to pay (WTP) for health insurance based on the contingent valuation approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average WTP per year was in the range of Indian rupee (R) 1,145-1,355 or $US20-24, with hospitalization and economic status significantly affecting the WTP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of the study can serve as evidence for possible changes to policy on health insurance that would allow PLHIV to purchase health insurance.
authors: Health Policy Research Unit, Institute of Economic Growth, Delhi University Enclave, Delhi, 110007, India, indrani@iegindia.org.
authors: Indrani
authors: I
authors: Gupta
authors: Mayur
authors: M
authors: Trivedi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003219:Confidentiality; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D005382:Financing, Personal / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy; D006306:Health Surveys; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007342:Insurance Benefits / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult