ASSESSMENT OF EFFICIENCY OF HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This thesis investigated efficiency of health insurance scheme in Anambra State, Nigeria. Thestudy objectives identified factors affecting the efficiency of the health insurance scheme andways that the efficiency of health insurance scheme in Anambra State can be improved. TheHealth Belief Model (HBM) and reinforcement theory were adopted as the theoreticalframework. The study adopted the mixed methods research design and sampled 625respondents. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencycounts, simple percentages and charts while the qualitative data were analyzed using thematicmethod of data analysis. Results showed that factors affecting the efficiency of health insurancescheme include lack of funds and inadequate contribution to the insurance scheme, poorreferral system, delays in receiving required services, non-coverage of some locations andservices, weak administrative structure and supervisory capacity, inefficient mode of paymentand high cost of accessing health insurance. Thus, the study recommended amongst others theneed for government to make funds available to improve the quality of health insuranceservices at public and affiliate hospitals in Anambra State.