Swedish health care system – some trends of its reforming

Abstract

The constant increase in public health expenditure, which is being observed from the 60s, initiated research into way to optimize it. The aim the article is to show concepts of the health reforms which have been applied in the Swedish health service. In the article are presented main proposals of changes in the system financing and service provision. Article characterizes patient participation in costs of services, private health insurance, privatisation of health care facilities, purchase-provider split and providers reimbursement. The articles begins with the overview of concepts related to health care system reform. Next, the health system in Sweden is shortly presented. The main part of the article presents the reforms which has been implemented in the financing and services provision. Patients’ participation in financing of the health system has been extended by fees for service. The importance of private medical insurance is marginal. Purchaser-provider split has been introduced in most of counties. In general primary care facilities have been privatised. In regard to service providers reimbursement is generally used global budgeting, feed for service or diagnosis-related groups.