Compared to China they have not achieved universal health care, currently 61.5 percent of the population is insured and 72% of healthcare expenditures are out-of-pocket (Pradel & Youssef, 2015; WHO, 2015). Compared to China which had multiple insurance programs, Egypt has one main program to supply insurance to the population. A autonomous part of the MOHP, the Health Insurance Organization (HIO) manages the social health insurance system. The HIO is substantially different than China in the fact that it acts as the financier and provider of health care. Through laws enacted over time, insurance has been expanded to students, infants, all government workers, some public and private workers, pensioners and widows. There is a small premium to be paid and participation is mandatory, however for some, such as private companies are able to opt out. For those employed in the private or public sector pay 1% of salary and employers pay 4%, while those in the government sector pay .5% and 1.5% respectively. The benefits packages are broad and generous, featuring inpatient care, plastic surgery, and treatment abroad while co-payment rates are low (Elsisi, 2015). Through contracts the HIO also provides services for its beneficiaries from non-HIO hospitals. Findings show an uninsured individual in the informal sector pays 70% more out-of-pocket for health care than an insured peer. (WHO,
Compared to China they have not achieved universal health care, currently 61.5 percent of the population is insured and 72% of healthcare expenditures are out-of-pocket (Pradel & Youssef, 2015; WHO, 2015). Compared to China which had multiple insurance programs, Egypt has one main program to supply insurance to the population. A autonomous part of the MOHP, the Health Insurance Organization (HIO) manages the social health insurance system. The HIO is substantially different than China in the fact that it acts as the financier and provider of health care. Through laws enacted over time, insurance has been expanded to students, infants, all government workers, some public and private workers, pensioners and widows. There is a small premium to be paid and participation is mandatory, however for some, such as private companies are able to opt out. For those employed in the private or public sector pay 1% of salary and employers pay 4%, while those in the government sector pay .5% and 1.5% respectively. The benefits packages are broad and generous, featuring inpatient care, plastic surgery, and treatment abroad while co-payment rates are low (Elsisi, 2015). Through contracts the HIO also provides services for its beneficiaries from non-HIO hospitals. Findings show an uninsured individual in the informal sector pays 70% more out-of-pocket for health care than an insured peer. (WHO,