Challenges and Strategies for Developing Supplementary Health Insurance: A Systematic Review Study

Abstract

Background and purpose: Supplementary health insurance plays a pivotal role in the health economy and individual payments, enhancing access to health services and improving individual quality of life. This study aims to explore the challenges and strategies for developing supplementary health insurance. Methods: This systematic review examined research related to the challenges and strategies for the development of supplementary health insurance in various countries, focusing on articles published in the last five years in both domestic and international databases. For each article, a data extraction form was completed, and the data were subsequently classified, summarized, and analyzed. Results: Seventeen articles met the study's inclusion and exclusion criteria and were analyzed. The main challenges and strategies for developing supplementary health insurance were identified across seven primary themes: premium and financing, electronic infrastructure, quality improvement, moral hazards and adverse selection, cost-effectiveness and efficiency, evidence-based decision-making, and effective awareness and advertising. Conclusion: Considering the numerous identified challenges and barriers in the development of supplementary health insurance, it is recommended to focus on creating electronic infrastructures and necessary platforms to enhance and develop policies in supplementary health insurance, particularly in the dimensions of service packages, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency

Keywords

• health insurance
• supplementary insurance
• commercial health insurance
• systematic review