TYPES OF HEALTH CARE SYSTEM| NUTRITION & DIETETICS|L-10|

Types of Health Care Systems

There are about 200 countries on the planet, only 40 of which adopt a formal system. Below is a list of the four different types(link is external and opens in a new window) of health care models.

BEVERIDGE MODEL

Named after William Beveridge, the U.K. social reformer who helped create the National Health System

Health care both paid for and provided by the government

Free at point of service

Financed through taxation – sometimes dedicated taxation, sometimes general tax revenues, and sometimes both

Examples: United Kingdom, New Zealand, Spain, U.S. Veterans Health Administration

BISMARCK MODEL

Named after Prussian Chancellor Bismarck

Health care paid for by non-profit insurance firms and provided by public and private actors

Financed by employees and employers, generally through payroll deductions; often complemented by general tax revenues

Examples: Germany, France, Netherlands, Japan, Switzerland

NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE OR SINGLE-PAYER MODEL

Health care paid for by government-run insurance programs and provided by public and private actors

Financed through taxation – sometimes dedicated taxation, sometimes general revenues, and sometimes both

Examples: Canada (at a provincial level), South Korea, U.S. Medicare

OUT-OF-POCKET

Health care paid for by consumers to public and private care providers

Little to no insurance coverage

This model is used by most low- and middle-income countries

Examples: Chad, India, Rwanda​