Abstract

VERGARA-ITURRIAGA, Marcos  and  MARTINEZ-GUTIERREZ, María Soledad. The Chilean health system financing. Salud pública Méx [online]. 2006, vol.48, n.6, pp. 512-521. ISSN 0036-3634.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0036-36342006000600010.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the Chilean health system financing based on the most recent available data. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using the WHO World Health Report 2000 framework, this paper analyzes the Chilean health system financing, with special emphasis on insurance schemes. RESULTS: The analysis shows that a great proportion of people is covered by the existing health insurance schemes (about 88%). However, there is a tendency towards segmentation of the population in terms of risk and income. Additionally, efforts have been made, especially by FONASA (National Health Fund), to perform a strategic purchasing of healthcare. CONCLUSIONS: There still is a need for improving the Chilean health system financing in terms of pooling and strategic purchasing.

Keywords : financing health; health system; Chile.