How effectively can the New Cooperative Medical Scheme reduce catastrophic health expenditure for the poor and non-poor in rural China?

Zhang, Luying, Cheng, Xiaoming, Tolhurst, Rachel ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3005-6641, Tang, Shenglan and Liu, Xiaoyun (2010) 'How effectively can the New Cooperative Medical Scheme reduce catastrophic health expenditure for the poor and non-poor in rural China?'. Tropical Medicine & International Health, Vol 15, Issue 4, pp. 468-475.

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Abstract

OBJECTIVES: China has implemented the New Cooperative Medical Scheme (NCMS) in rural areas since 2003 to provide financial protection to its rural population. This article explores the effect of NCMS on relieving catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) among the poor and non-poor groups.

METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted in three counties, with a random sample of 358 poor and 523 non-poor NCMS enrollees who used inpatient services and obtained NCMS reimbursement in 2005.

RESULTS: Majority of NCMS enrollees suffered CHE because of using inpatient services; the occurrence and intensity of CHE was greater among poor inpatients. NCMS reimbursement helped relieve CHE to a certain degree. Poor inpatients benefited more from NCMS than non-poor, but the effects varied among counties. Cost control measures and other medical financial assistance (MFA) helped reduce inpatients' economic burden.

CONCLUSIONS: The objective of NCMS is only partly achieved. However, NCMS has promoted equity in health financing as poor inpatients can acquire more protection than the non-poor. Our analysis suggests that efforts should be made to improve NCMS design, strengthen cost containment and extend other MFA to further relieve economic burden of disease.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	China, health insurance, catastrophic, expenditure, equity
Subjects:	WA Public Health > WA 20.5 Research (General) WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 395 Health in developing countries WA Public Health > Health Administration and Organization > WA 525 General works
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3156.2010.02469.x
Depositing User:	Faye Moody
Date Deposited:	15 Feb 2011 10:12
Last Modified:	07 Jun 2022 11:09
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/1740

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