An assessment of Mongolian health insurance coverage among two vulnerable groups: herdsmen and students

Abstract

The government of Mongolia introduced social health insurance in 1994, which is compulsory for all public and private sector employees and low-income and vulnerable population groups. However, several statistical reports have shown that the Mongolian Health Insurance coverage is reducing year by year. The National Statistical Officer and the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Mongolia report the rates of health insurance coverage within 21 provinces, however there were no surveys exploring health insurance coverage more deeply. The purpose of the study was to assess the association between knowledge, information of the Mongolian health insurance system and utilization of health care services among two vulnerable groups as herdsmen and students. A self-administered questionnaire was used. Study was carried out among herdsmen who live at the targeted five provinces (Zavkhan, Khentii, Uvurkhangai, Dornod, and Bayankhongor Aimags) and a private or public university students. Respondents reported the following main reasons of being uninsured: insufficient finance and being too busy to go to the center to get health care services. Respondents answered that they have enough knowledge of Health Insurance Benefit Package services. Results indicated that the reform of the Mongolian Health Insurance System, some changes in the Health Insurance Law, and education programs among vulnerable groups, can lead to increase in Health Insurance coverage.