Does insurance protect individuals from catastrophic payments for surgical care? An analysis of Ghana's National Health Insurance Scheme at Korle-Bu teaching Hospital.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:According to the World Health Organization, essential surgery should be recognized as an essential component of universal health coverage. In Ghana, insurance is associated with a reduction in maternal mortality and improved access to essential medications, but whether it eliminates financial barriers to surgery is unknown. This study tested the hypothesis that insurance protects surgical patients against financial catastrophe. METHODS:We interviewed patients admitted to the general surgery wards of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) between February 1, 2017 - October 1, 2017 to obtain demographic data, income, occupation, household expenditures, and insurance status. Surgical diagnoses and procedures, procedural fees, and anesthesia fees incurred were collected through chart rev

SUBMITTER: Okoroh J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6969414 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature