Forming the system of health insurance in the Russian Federation

Abstract

A radical reform is being prepared in the Russian Federation health care. Its major point is a transition from tax-financed national health system to social health insurance. The paper highlights the issues of forming the system of health insurance. First, the arguments for a transition to a new model of finance are discussed. Secondly, the concept of the new model and its implementation in the context of the regional experiment are addressed. A discussion of current and expected developments focuses on two major issues: monopsony or pluralistic model of third-party purchasing? What is important for forming the market of health care provision? The major argument is that a transition from a highly integrated to a contractual model may start with regional monopsony or some version of it. A pluralistic model of third-party purchasing needs a refined regulation and may not meet health policy objectives. It is also argued that on the first stage of reform implementation forming the market of health care provision is more dependent on its regulation and management than on the market structure of health care purchasing.