Examining purchasing reforms towards universal health coverage by the National Hospital Insurance Fund in Kenya.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Kenya has prioritized the attainment of universal health coverage (UHC) through the expansion of health insurance coverage by the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF). In 2015, the NHIF introduced reforms in premium contribution rates, benefit packages, and provider payment methods. We examined the influence of these reforms on NHIF's purchasing practices and their implications for strategic purchasing and health system goals of equity, efficiency and quality. METHODS:We conducted an embedded case study with the NHIF as the case and the reforms as embedded units of analysis. We collected data at the national level and in two purposively selected counties through 41 in-depth interviews with health financing stakeholders, facility managers and frontline providers; 4 focus group

SUBMITTER: Mbau R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6998279 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature