1. The Beveridge Model
This model operates as a single-payer system where the healthcare payer is the government. Healthcare is funded through taxation. Most hospitals and healthcare facilities are owned by the government and most healthcare professionals are employed by the state.
o Countries: UK, Italy, Spain, Denmark.
o Advantages: healthcare services are free at point of service (of course relatively, as the population has paid taxes). The government, as the single payer, regulates the costs keeping them low.
o Disadvantages: long waiting lists.
2. The Bismarck Model
Multi-payer system where healthcare is funded through insurances paid jointly by employers and employees via payroll deductions. Most hospitals and healthcare facilities are privately owned.
o Countries: France, Germany, Japan, Switzerland.
o Advantages: government intervention helps control costs.
o Disadvantages: individuals without a job may face challenges accessing healthcare.
3. The National Health Insurance Model
Similar to the Beveridge model, this system employs a single-payer approach where the payer is the government. Healthcare is funded through government-owned, not-for-profit insurance paid by all citizens. Most hospitals and healthcare facilities are private institutions, similar to the Bismarck model.
o Countries: South Korea, Canada.
o Advantages: healthcare coverage is provided to the entire population, and costs are managed and kept low by the government.
o Disadvantages: long waiting lists.
4. The Out-of-Pocket Model
Under this model, consumers directly fund healthcare expenses. Both private and public healthcare facilities may exist.
o Countries: rural regions of Africa, India, China and various other low- and middle-income countries.
o Disadvantages: accessibility to healthcare is often limited, especially for individuals with low incomes or no financial resources.
Healthcare stakeholders must explore diverse health systems to get insights into different models of healthcare organisation and delivery to improve their own systems; to understand the real-world impact of policy decisions; to identify common challenges such as rising healthcare costs, access disparities and technology integration, and solutions implemented elsewhere; and to advocate for evidence-based policies and reforms.
Sources:
· Which country has the world’s best health care? Ezekiel J. Emanuel