Kazemian M¹ (PhD), Alipoor V * 2 (MSc)

  ¹ Health Economics Section, Faculty of Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran

  ² Health Economics and Management Group, Faculty of Public Health ,

  Zabul University of Medical Sciences, Zabul, Iran

  Received: 19 Aug 2010, Accepted: 27 Dec 2010

  Abstract

  Introduction: Each year, the government provides considerable financial contribution in health expenditure of the insured employees in the informal sector. Nevertheless, there are still a great number of households in the active employed and unemployed group that are excluded from universal health insurance. This research assessed policies for developing health insurance for active workers in the informal sector, and the self-employed health insurance plan.

  Methods: This was a descriptive– analytic study. Using the primary record data from the Iranian Statistical Center, Health Insurance Services Organization, and Social Security Organization, the secondary data were created and analyzed using situation analysis.

  Results: In 1996-2007, the government’s share for compensating the shortages of funds for health insurance of the employed and unemployed workers in informal sector has reduced significantly. Also, the average growth rate of per capita health expenditure of the insured people in informal sector has been less than the average for the insured people in both formal and informal sectors. In the plan of health insurance for the population in informal sector, it is also expected that more than half of the health expenses to be financed by the service users.

  Conclusion: If the government does not intervene in organizing insurance plan for the informal sector and does not provide financial support, developing of health insurance in this sector is not feasible. The results of the current plan for the self-employed shows that the required incentives and demand for social health insurance is not present in the non-obligatory state, especially for the unemployed active workers.

  Key words: Active People in the Informal Sector Social Health Insurance Health Insurance Plan for Self-Employed Financing, Government Social Security

  Hakim Research Journal 2011 13(4): 267- 275.

  * Corresponding Author: Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Health, Zabul University of Medical Sciences, Rajai St, Zabul, Iran. Tel: +98- 542- 2253531, Fax : +98- 542- 2253532, Email: vahid.alipoor1360@yahoo.com.