Voluntary Insurance Research Articles

Challenges and Perspectives of Development of Private Pension Funds in Serbia

Following the successful implementation of the Chilean reform, the World Bank proposed a solution from three pillars of the pension system: compulsory state, compulsory private and voluntary private pension insurance. Serbia, like many other developed and undeveloped countries, has only adopted the third pillar, in addition to the already existing state. The introduction of compulsory private insurance was also considered, however, there are no market conditions or financial possibilities for achieving this idea. Voluntary pension funds in Serbia were introduced by the 2005 laws. There are seven voluntary pension funds in Serbia, managed by four management companies. So far, the funds have achieved positive yields, although due to limited investment opportunities, these rates were very modest. In addition to limited investment opportunities, one of the problems is the accumulation of funds. The problem of population savings has many sides, and it is certain that some of the causes can be sought in bad experiences from the past. The paper analyzes the limitations and possibilities for further development of private pension funds.

SPECIFIC ISSUES OF THE ACCOUNTING AND THE FINANCIAL AUDIT IN THE PENSION FUNDS

The pension funds attract funds from the social securers and the secured persons of the additional obligatory and voluntary pension insurance of individuals. The raised funds of the additional obligatory and voluntary pension insurance contributions are managed, invested and paid in form of additional pensions of the pension funds to the secured persons in case of occurrence of the insured events provided in the legislation, in the regulation of the pension fund and in the pension fund contracts. The social importance and development of the activity of pension funds enforce its individual financial reporting, analysis and auditing, its dynamic and effective management and its specific supervision by a state supervisory body. The activity-specific objects of accounting lead to the invention of specific approaches and methods of financial reporting, analysis and auditing which enrich the applied general methodology of accounting. Its purpose is to introduce and analyze those specific issues in the mentioned financial institutions which shall improve the management, investment and spending of funds raised for the individual batches of the secured persons of the pension funds. Special attention is paid to the specific activity of the pension funds in a high-risk environment which leads to the formation of specific objects of financial reporting and auditing; preparation of specific so called Supervisory financial reports, analysis of specific indicators for profitability, solvency and liquidity of the funds; determination of reliable framework for the auditors to express their opinion in relation to the fulfillment of the accounting principle “Operating Company”. The specific objects of accounting concern specific items in the asset side of the balance and income statement of pension funds. The main item on the asset side of the balance having the largest share in relation to the other assets of the pension funds are investments in financial assets and instruments. One of the central requirements of the State Supervisory Body is that the raised funds of pension insurance contributions of secured persons shall be invested in financial assets and instruments in order to bring additional income for distribution between the secured persons and the managing pension insurance company. This study presented some of the important and socially significant, and therefore monitored by the State Supervisory Body, specific objects of accounting of pension funds. The activity of the shown financial entities is diverse, accompanied by the development of the insurance and financial risk up to a high extent. The variety of specific objects of accounting leads on his part to a variety of applied accounting methods, research and analysis in light of best international practices which shall contribute to a significant extent to the diligent management and spending of accumulated funds of Pension Funds. The establishment of internal system for surveillance of financial and market risks occurring in the conditions, the establishment of balanced system of methods for preventive analysis, diagnosis and budjeting, the definition of key indicators and the development of reporting, control and analysis processes, will contribute to the comparability, the precise and correct presentation of accounting information in the organization’s financial statement, to its asset and liability and to the establishment of precise risk management systems. The present study can be used in the financial reporting and in various types of financial audit, such as internal audit, executed by the internal structures of the financial enterprises independent financial audit, executed by certified public accountants, registered auditors, and external audit, executed by the State Supervisory Authority or other state bodies.

ANALYSIS OF THE PREMIUM TREND IN THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY IN KOSOVO 2013 - 2017

Kosovo continues to be one of the countries with the most undeveloped economy in the region and with negative measuring indicators of the economic development, high unemployment, a deep negative commercial balance, and non-favorable macro economical politics to guarantee a faster development trend, although it has marked a positive economical increase in recent years but too insufficient to weaken poverty and decrease the unemployment rate. The insurance sector participates with only 3% in the Kosovo financial sector, except for its very symbolic participation, this industry is characterized by a very low degree of development and the main motive is to analyze the very slow trend of industry development, to identify the causes and factors that have influenced this segment to be so underdeveloped and of a very symbolic weight in the Kosovo economy.The purpose of this paper is to explain the trend of insurance premiums on insurance industry in Kosovo, effect of foreign investments in this sector, also the positive implications in the competition in this market. The purpose of a study can be classified into two major categories; descriptive and explanatory.For our case study, I have collected primary data by conducting closed interviews. I have interviewed 10 senior risk underwriter managers from all companies present in the insurance industry in Kosovo. Methodology and data collection for our research paper it is based on case study method, analyzing trend of premiums through case study, we have collected also secondary data or archival records from Central Bank Kosovo from specific documents: official yearly annual reports, annual financial stability reports. This is based on the reasoning that this data archive consists of official information collected, processed and published by the central bank of Kosovo as the oversight body of the financial system in Kosovo. Other source of secondary data used it is annual reports published on websites of the Insurance Companies.In this paper I focused specifically on inquiring about the level of development of the insurance industry in Kosovo. I have also specifically explored and presented strategic orientation and detailed activities through which the premium structure in Kosovo could be changed in favor of voluntary insurance. Also another very important goal is the susceptibility of the relevant decision maker factors and the whole readers that the results of this analysis relevant findings to influence in order to sensitize the decision maker and readers for the situation and for the need of focus that this segment should be developed because it is one of the most important segments in the economies of developed countries or for an undeveloped country and economy that aims a strategic objective for a faster development.

The treatment of tuberculosis in labor migrants: proposals on development of alternative financial organizational mechanism

Purpose. The high level of labor migration necessitates development of financial organizational mechanism ensuring diagnostic and treatment of tuberculosis among migrants. Above all, it concerns such countries as Russia where treatment of tuberculosis is provided at the expense of budget sources. The position of Russian lawmaker consists in development of voluntary medical insurance not including number of infectious diseases that makes necessary development of alternative suggestions. Methodology. The article presents review of results of empirical studies concerning participation of migrants in programs of voluntary medical insurance. The legal regulations and practice of medical care support of migrants in number of countries Russia included is reviewed too. Results. The questionnaire data testify limited access of migrants to system of voluntary medical insurance. In the countries receiving migrants treatment of tuberculosis is organized at the expense of state resources even in case of limitations of access to other types of medical care. In Russia these limitations does not cover citizen of Belarus. Practical significance. On the basis of this precedent establishment of the interstate foundation of medical insurance is proposed for covering all CIS countries' Within the framework of this foundation national contributions will support financing of treatment of tuberculosis of citizen of corresponding countries residing temporarily in Russia.

Key indicators of therapeutic and diagnostic activities of the Nikiforov Russian Center of Emergency and Radiation Medicine, EMERCOM of Russia, in 2012–2017

Relevance. Arrangement of the medical support for the EMERCOM of Russia specialists and employees needs constant monitoring and analysis of activities of the Nikiforov Russian Center of Emergency and Radiation Medicine, EMERCOM of Russia (NRCERM) as the leading multidisciplinary medical institution of the EMERCOM of Russia.Intention – To analyze NRCERM activities (2012–2017) on specialized primary care, including high-tech care, at outpatient, day-time and inpatient hospitals.Methods. Results of health care and treatment in the NRCERM were assessed (2012–2017): 787,057 out-patient cases, 3,782 day-time cases, and 79,572 inpatient cases.Results and Discussion. In 2017, volumes of specialized primary care in outpatient hospitals was 156.6 % compared to that in 2012. The proportion of this type of health care paid for by the federal budget varied from 44.3 to 57.0 %. The most popular types of specialized primary care were internal medicine, neurology, gastroenterology, otolaryngology, ophthalmology, gynecology, surgery, urology and dentistry. The proportion of individuals who underwent preventive physical examinations in 2012–2017 amounted to 22–23 % among the whole number of outpatient visits, with 95.4 % of them were EMERCOM of Russia employees and 4.6 % – patients who paid themselves or were paid for. NRCERM mobile medical teams performed prevention physical examinations of employees of the EMERCOM of Russia in the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol: 1431 and 2070 individuals were examined in 2015 and 2016, respectively. The number of patients in the day-time NRCERM hospital increased to 1059 individuals in 2017. In 2017, volumes of specialized primary care increased to 191.9 % compared to 2012, with maximums in 2015 and 2016. Inpatient specialized primary care within the federal budget decreased from 63 % in 2012 to 28 % in 2017. Volume of inpatient care increased progressively due to programs of obligatory and voluntary medical insurance and self-paying. The proportion of surgery patients among all the in-patients increased from 35 % in 2012 to 58.4 % in 2017. In the NRCERM as a whole, the average duration of patient’s stay in a hospital decreased from 9.9 days in 2012 to 8.0 days in 2017, which is considerably less than in the Russian Federation (11.7 days) and Saint Petersburg (11.3 days). The bed turnover in the NRCERM increased owing to both therapy and surgery departments, with maximums in 2015 (29.0) and 2016 (28.8). This parameter increased in 2017 compared to 2012 (27.5 vs 13.9; 197.8 %). In 2017, number of operations increases compared to that in 2012 up to 258.6 %, with related increase in anesthesia procedures up to 274.1 %. High tech surgeries considerably increased (3.5-fold) in 2017 compared to 2012. The proportion of high tech surgeries was 14.2 % in 2012 and 18.7 % in 2017. The NRCERM mortality rates in 2012–2017 were 0.4–0.5 % which is considerably less than in the Russian Federation (1.77 %) and in Saint Petersburg (2.49 %). In cause-of-death structure, the following diseases dominated: circulatory diseases (40.3 %), neoplasms (29.8 %) and, third, traumas (10.4 %) – a total of 80.5 %.Conclusion. Within NRCERM activities, volumes of specialized primary care increased, including high tech care, in outpatient, day-time and inpatient settings. Besides, intensity of medical-diagnostic process increased, with low hospital mortality rate due to optimized organizational structure of medical institution, improved performance of outpatient and inpatient departments, introduction of innovative medical technologies.

Healthcare Financing: European Experience and Russian Practice

The subject of the research is healthcare financing systems in European countries and Russia. The relevance of the problem stems from the possibility of using successful foreign experience for the organization of healthcare financing in Russia. The purpose of the research was to examine the specific features of the establishing and funding healthcare models in countries of Europe and the possibilities of their experience in organizing healthcare financing in the Russian Federation. The paper examines the current state of the two models of health financing in the EU — budget funding and insurance. By the example of individual European countries, the operation specifics of each model are analyzed, their advantages and disadvantages are assessed. Particular attention is paid to the specifics of the healthcare financing system in Russia and its difference from foreign systems. Taking into account the foreign experience and the need to improve the Russian compulsory healthcare insurance (CHI) system, the paper proposes ways to improve the Russian model of healthcare financing: establishment of a unified organizational and financial CHI model; introduction of a system of equal participation of the employer and employee in the financing of compulsory healthcare insurance; introduction of a family insurance system; promotion of voluntary healthcare insurance programs. It is concluded that the keypoint in the CHI system restructuring should be the search for socially acceptable and economically justified forms of attracting public funds. At the same time, it is extremely important that the funds received by medical institutions do not increase the shadow incomes in the economy but are spent on the development of the healthcare system.

ДОБРОВІЛЬНЕ СТРАХУВАННЯ ГРОМАДЯНСЬКОЇ ВІДПОВІДАЛЬНОСТІ ПЕРЕД МИТНИМИ ОРГАНАМИ

Formulation of the problem. At present, in the conditions of the development of trade, international transportation is becoming more significant. However, despite this, insurance of civil liability to the customs authorities with the use of the International Road Transport Book in the Republic of Belarus shows a negative trend. The purpose of the research is to explore the features of civil liability insurance to customs authorities using the International Road Transport booklet in the Republic of Belarus and analyze its dynamics, as well as to identify possible trends in its development. The object of the research is the features and practical procedures for voluntary insurance of civil liability to customs authorities using the book of International road traffic in the Republic of Belarus. Methods used of the research. The use of the induction method allowed us to designate ways to improve the procedures for voluntary insurance of civil liability to the customs authorities. The hypothesis of the research. The negative tendency of civil liability insurance to customs authorities is partly related to restrictive conditions, under which the carriage of goods under the International Road Traffic System can be carried out. The statement of basic materials. The Convention on International Road Transport defines the carriage of goods carried without intermediate transshipment in road vehicles, their compositions or containers, crossing one or more borders, from the customs of departure to the customs of destination, provided that a certain part of the International Road Transport operation between its beginning and end is made by road. Goods transported in accordance with the International Road Transport Procedure are exempt not only from paying or depositing in the intermediate tariffs of import and export duties and taxes, but also from customs inspection in them. Originality and practical significance of the research. The procedure for the operation of civil liability insurance to customs authorities with the use of the International Road Transport booklet, taking into account the UN Customs Convention on the International Carriage of Goods, is disclosed. Conclusions of the research. Insurance organizations of the Republic of Belarus increase the demand for insurance of civil liability to the customs authorities using the book of International road traffic and popularize it among residents of the country. This will contribute to the development of not only the insurance market in the country, but also the maintenance of the status of the Republic of Belarus as an export-oriented country.

Pension Insurance as a Topical Direction of Life Insurance Development in the Current Context

The pension insurance system, that includes mandatory and voluntary instruments, stands out as a basics of financial security of the social society. The balanced structure of the system of voluntary and compulsory insurance allows to ensure a high social protection degree for citizens of retirement age. This circumstance stands out as a major argument in favor of taking measures by the government and the insurers community aimed at promoting voluntary pension insurance as a significant direction for the life insurance development. All this explains the relevance of research in this field of insurance. The article examines the role of voluntary pension insurance as a topical direction developing life insurance in general. It presents the main problems of the current system of compulsory pension insurance which can be solved only by adequate development of the voluntary form of pension insurance. It specifies the advantages of development and use of products of this insurance type for the government, insurers and policyholders. It brings forth practical examples and calculations that demonstrate the relevance of concluding the contract of voluntary pension insurance for individuals in the current context.

Legal aspects of the implementation of social medical (health) insurance in Ukraine

Based on the analysis of normative-legal acts, judicial practice and scientific studies in the sphere of social insurance, there are considered separate legal aspects of introducing the system of social medical insurance in Ukraine.There are considered main international documents and acts of the International labor organization that fix the human right for health protection, and also establish the duty of states in providing realization of these rights, in particular by functioning of the social medical insurance system. Main models of financing the health protection system are presented.There are investigated norms of the Ukrainian Constitution in the sphere of health protection, medical care and medical insurance. There is cited the judgment of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine in a case of free medical care and possibility of functioning of social medical insurance. There is argued a conclusion that medical insurance it is not an end in itself, but a guarantee of realization of the right for health protection and medical care. Attention is accented on the aim of functioning of social medical insurance.There is analyzed the role of voluntary medical insurance (private) in financing of the health protection system in Ukraine. Separate differences between social and private medical insurance are determined. There are accented problems of payments for treaties of private medical insurance in Ukraine to insurers.There are presented objective factors of introducing social medical insurance. Normative-legal acts that, starting from the Conception of social insurance of 1993, provide introduction of the social medical insurance system are analyzed.As a result of the study, conclusions have been made about the necessity of realization of the juridical duty of the state on introducing social medical insurance as a guarantee of realization of rights of citizens in the sphere of health protection and medical care.

MODERN APPROACHES TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE INSTITUTE OF PAID MEDICAL SERVICES IN RUSSIA

The article pertains the main problems faced by manufacturers and consumers of paid medical services. The increase in the volume of paid medical care prevails in the fields of dentistry, diagnostics and cosmetology. Of course, the expansion of voluntary medical insurance in almost all areas of medicine, further digitalization and gradual development of commercial outpatient care will be promising areas in the domestic health care. After all, currently every fourth outpatient medical organization is private owned. In this regard, taking into account the foreign and domestic experience of modernization of the medical services market, the paper comprehensively analyzes the trends in the development of commercial medicine within the legal, organizational and socio-economic regulation of the health care industry. Marketing tools to optimize the system of paid services are presented. The key role of mechanisms of public-private interaction in health care management is proved. Integrative approaches to the problems of introduction and development of paid medical services, considered in this study, will allow to systematize and to adjust the extra-budgetary activities of medical organizations while simultaneously increasing the availability and quality of medical care in Russia.

Factors influencing the intention to subscribe to voluntary social insurance of farmers: A case study in Phu Yen Province

To verify the factors affecting the intention to subscribe to voluntary social insurance of farmers in Phu Yen Province, the study made use of primary data collected from the survey on 325 farmer households in 4 localities in Phu Yen. Employing a model with 7 independent variables, we found that the intention to voluntary subscription to social insurance of Phu Yen farmers is determined by 5 factors, including “Awareness of voluntary social insurance policy”, “Attitude towards subscription”, “Risk awareness”, “Subscription procedures”, and “Moral responsibility”. Based on this result, we propose some policies to encourage farmers in Phu Yen to voluntarily participate in social insurance, in particular renewing organizing quality, raising farmers’ awareness of the necessity for voluntary social insurance, improving policy mechanisms and strengthening the State’s management.

ОСОБЛИВОСТІ ФУНКЦІОНУВАННЯ МОДЕЛЕЙ ФІНАНСУВАННЯ МЕДИЧНОГО СТРАХУВАННЯ

У статті розглянуті моделі фінансового забезпечення охорони здоров’я, що використовуються у світовій практиці, а саме: моделі «Семашка», «Бевериджа», «Бісмарка», приватна модель. На їхній основі визначені централізовані та децентралізовані моделі фінансування медичного страхування. З’ясовано переваги та недоліки моделей фінансування медичного страхування. Встановлено, що спільною рисою усіх моделей є багатоканальність, саме можливість залучення альтернативних джерел та механізмів фінансування сфери охорони здоров’я. Надані пропозиції щодо розбудови моделі фінансового забезпечення медичного страхування в Україні.

СОВРЕМЕННОЕ СОСТОЯНИЕ ФИНАНСИРОВАНИЯ ЗДРАВООХРАНЕНИЯ В РОССИИ

The article touches upon the problem of financing health care in the world today, which is carried out mainly at the expense of budget funds, employers, population and enterprises in different proportions. The share of each of these sources in the total amount of funds allocated by society to health care determines the model of financing this economic sector. The budget model of financing the health care does not fully cover the needs of the population in the guaranteed volume of free medical care. In recent years, such sources as direct payment for medical services and voluntary health insurance programs have brought a certain amount of money to the Russian health care system. The conducted analysis of the financial support of the health care system in Russia proved that the cost of the program of state guarantees increases throughout the whole period. Means of compulsory medical insurance as well as budgetary allocations of the entities of the Russian Federation are used to finance the program of State guarantees. The volume of compulsory health insurance funds is increasing, the growth rate of compulsory health insurance in 2017 outpaced the rate assigned by the program. In 2016 revenue growth and spending cuts brought the Federal Fund of compulsory medical insurance to a deficit-free budget, but in 2017 the growth of spending outpaced revenue growth, which leads to a deficit. There can be seen the positive dynamics of growth rates of insurance premiums for voluntary health insurance. Currently, underfunding of territorial programs is compensated by the population independently through the use of voluntary health insurance and paid medical services. The main objective of the further transformation of compulsory medical insurance system is stated to increase the volume of financing of the system. In the process of adjusting state obligations the deficit of financial provision of territorial programs of state guarantees should be taken into account, which has already been redistributed due to its insecurity, but without legislative consolidation. The reserve of redistribution will be the increase in payments under contracts of voluntary medical insurance and funds received by medical organizations from the provision of paid medical services.

ІНСТИТУТ СТРАХУВАННЯ ЦИВІЛЬНО-ПРАВОВОЇ ВІДПОВІДАЛЬНОСТІ ВЛАСНИКІВ НАЗЕМНИХ ТРАНСПОРТНИХ ЗАСОБІВ

Актуальність статті полягає у необхідності дослідження місця інституту цивільно-правової відповідальності власників наземних транспортних засобів у системі страхового права. Під час написання дослідження були використані такі методи дослідження: порівняльно-правовий, аналізу, синтезу, індукції, дедукції тощо. 
 Метою цієї статті є визначення місця інституту страхування цивільно-правової відповідальності власників наземних транспортних засобів у системі страхового права. Для досягнення вказаної мети були поставлені такі основні завдання: проаналізувати загальнотеоретичні питання щодо визначення інституту страхування цивільно-правової відповідальності власників наземних транспортних засобів; визначити основні ознаки інституту страхування відповідальності власників наземних транспортних засобів. 
 Авторкою був зроблений висновок про те, що страхування цивільної відповідальності як правовий інститут – це сукупність правових норм, що забезпечують правові, економічні та організаційні основи добровільного та обов’язкового страхування цивільно-правової відповідальності власників наземних транспортних засобів з метою ефективного захисту прав потерпілих на відшкодування шкоди, заподіяної їхньому життю, здоров’ю або майну у разі використання транспортних засобів іншими особами. Страхування цивільної відповідальності можна розглядати (в широкому сенсі) і як підвид – страхування цивільно-правової відповідальності власників наземних транспортних засобів, де, як і за інших видів майнового страхування, основна мета полягає також у відшкодуванні шкоди, яка може ви-ражатися не лише як майнові збитки, але і як обтяження майна страхувальника новими зобов’язаннями. 
 Однак слід зазначити, що в юридичній науці немає досить чітких критеріїв для визнання як правового інституту тієї чи іншої групи норм права. Тому вчені і практики часто зловживають цим терміном і, як правило, механічно, без необхідної аргументації застосову-ють його до будь-якого правового явища.

The Application of the Principle of Risk in Claims Settlement in Voluntary Business Liability Insurance in the Light of Case Law

This article is an attempt to analyze the insured's liability for damages pursuant to art. 435 of the Civil Code in the context of voluntary business liability insurance. Above all, it is vital to lay down the criteria which decide about the application of the principle of risk while assessing the insured’s liability for damages.The establishment of the principle of the liability of the insured person points out the specific character of the insurance relationship in the business liability insurance contract in relation to the property insurance, as the insurer shall also assesses the legal situation of the insured person, in the light of the victim’s claims.This article explores the application of the principle of risk, according to which the insured entrepreneurs are liable and the criteria for its adoption. Besides, the roles and functions of the insurer and business liability insurance have been discussed in the context of formulating the liability rules of the insured.

Precarious workers' choices about unemployment insurance membership after the Ghent system reform: The Finnish experience

AbstractThe literature on the Ghent system has focused on the link between voluntary unemployment insurance and union membership in terms of industrial relations. Less attention has been paid to unemployment benefits and employees' decision‐making concerning unemployment insurance, even though the core function of the Ghent system is to provide unemployment insurance. This paper examines both of the options that precarious workers (i.e., part‐timers, temporary employees, and low‐skilled service employees) choose regarding unemployment insurance membership and the change in union density after the Ghent system reform in Finland. First, the results show that the growth of the independent unemployment insurance fund was the main reason for declining union density in the 2000s and early 2010s. Second, in terms of precarious workers, we find that the emergence of the independent fund has affected their choices about unemployment insurance membership and that their choices depend on the type of precarious employment they have. Moreover, part‐timers and temporary employees younger than 35 years of age are much less likely to enroll in unemployment insurance than older employees who have the same types of employment contracts.

Potential demand for voluntary community-based health insurance improvement in rural Lao People's Democratic Republic: A randomized conjoint experiment.

IntroductionIn Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), community-based health insurance (CBHI) is the only voluntary insurance scheme; it typically targets self-employed people, most of whom reside in rural areas and are dependent on agricultural activities for subsistence. However, until very recently, the enrollment rate has fallen short and failed to reach a large percentage of the target group. To promote the CBHI scheme and increase demand, some supporting components should be considered for inclusion together with the health infrastructure component.ObjectivesThis paper provides empirical evidence that the benefit package components of hypothetical CBHI schemes have causal effects on enrollment probabilities. Furthermore, we examine the distribution of willingness to pay (WTP) in response to policy changes based on a sample of 5,800 observations.MethodsA randomized conjoint experiment is conducted in rural villages in Savannakhet Province, Lao PDR, to elicit stated preference data. Each respondent ranks three options—two hypothetical alternatives and the CBHI status quo scheme. The levels of seven attributes—insurance coverage for medical consultations, hospitalizations, traffic accidents, pharmaceuticals and transportation; premiums; and prepaid discounts—are randomly and simultaneously assigned to the two alternatives.ResultsThe findings suggest that the average WTP is at least as large as 10.9% of the per capita income of those who live in rural areas, which is higher than the WTP for health insurance averaged across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in the literature. The component of round-trip transportation insurance coverage has a significant effect on WTP distribution, particularly increasing the share of the highest bin.ConclusionTherefore, the low CBHI scheme enrollment rate in Lao PDR does not necessarily imply low demand among the targeted population, as the finding from the WTP analysis illustrates potential demand for the CBHI scheme. Specifically, if transportation is addressed, enrollment is likely to significantly increase.

Can Education Unlock Scale? The Demand Impact of Educational Games on a Large-Scale Unsubsidised Index Insurance Programme in Ethiopia

There is increasing concern that voluntary index insurance may fail to produce sustainable impacts at scale. Despite this concern, most research is focused on experimental or highly subsidised projects – little is known about farmer demand for market priced, commercially focused index insurance. We estimate the impact of attending a randomly administered education game for index insurance on the likelihood of purchase in the context of an unsubsidised, non-loan-linked commercial insurance programme in Ethiopia. This programme has already scaled to the tens of thousands via labour-based liquidity programmes and cash only sales. We find that the likelihood of purchasing unsubsidised insurance in commercial sales rose by an average of 10 per cent across villages, and that the average amount of insurance purchased increased by 33 per cent. These results demonstrate a possibility for financial education to increase demand, particularly among the subset of farmers who are not eligible for liquidity programmes.

MEDICAL INSURANCE AS A DIRECTION OF REFORMING THE HEALTH SYSTEM IN UKRAINE

Introduction: The right to live, the right to healthcare and medical care insurance, which are affirmed at the constitutional level in Ukraine, are exercised by organizing the healthcare system with the due consideration of all social groups of people. The current state of healthcare funding in Ukraine does not encourage the conditions under which the quality medical care is provided to the population as needed, especially to the socially disadvantaged group of people. The formation of marketing system of management in Ukraine, the declaration of it as a socially-oriented country, results in the necessity to carry out healthcare reforms and to implement new systems of funding. The special emphasis in the process has to be given to the development of the insurance. The aim: To study, to evaluate and elaborate proposals towards the justification of the changes in the healthcare funding through the reforming the system of medical insurance. Materials and methods: Laws and regulations of Ukraine and related countries are analyzed in the article (by methods of comparison, analysis, synthesis, deductive approach, and scientific abstraction and generalization). Review: The main forms of healthcare funding (on account of voluntary, compulsory and mixed insurance) were found out. Also, the special features of medical insurance in different countries based on the generalized models were investigated. As a part of the research, the condition of medical (voluntary and compulsory) insurance in Ukraine was analyzed and, as a result, the issues hindering its development were defined. Conclusions: The model of insurance for implementation in Ukraine had been defined, as well as the condition of reforming system in compulsory insurance such as "taxesbudget-agency" with the stages had also been estimated. The possible consequences of medical reforming in Ukraine and the possible ways to improve the process of insurance in medical area were specified.

Ubezpieczenia brackie i ich funkcjonowanie na Górnym Śląsku w okresie międzywojennym

Purpose – The Bracka company operated in Tarnowskie Gory and The Brotherhood of Miners in Pszczyna in Upper Silesian parts of Silesian Voivodeship in the years 1922-1939. Both institutions offered sickness and retirement benefits, as well as the disability ones. The level of benefits received and contributions paid depended on the economic situation. The purpose of the article is to show the relationship between the economic and social situation and the conditions of the professional Brackie insurance in Upper Silesia in the years 1922-1939. Research method – While writing the paper, the method of the source material analysis and literature review were used, as well as descriptive method. Results – The uniqueness of Upper Silesia in terms of the political and the socio-economic system influenced the uniqueness of the social security system. The voluntary professional Brackie insurance responded to changes in the economic situation. Originality/value – The problem raised in the paper provides knowledge about the mechanisms of functioning of voluntary insurance institutions, especially those connected to the retirement system.