Health Economics and Financing
Expert-defined terms from the Certificate Programme in Healthcare Research Analysis course at LearnUNI. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
Health Economics and Financing Glossary #
Health Economics and Financing Glossary
1. Access to Healthcare #
The ability of individuals to obtain healthcare services when needed. It includes factors such as availability, affordability, and acceptability of services.
2. Acute Care #
Short-term treatment for severe injuries or illnesses, typically provided in hospitals.
3. Capitation #
A payment model in which healthcare providers receive a fixed amount per patient regardless of the services provided. It incentivizes providers to deliver cost-effective care.
4. Cost #
Effectiveness Analysis (CEA): A method used to compare the costs of healthcare interventions with their outcomes to determine the most efficient use of resources.
5. Demand #
Side Financing: Refers to mechanisms that provide financial support directly to individuals to increase their access to healthcare services, such as vouchers or cash transfers.
6. Fee #
for-Service: A payment model in which healthcare providers are reimbursed based on the quantity of services they deliver. It can lead to overutilization of services.
7. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) #
The total value of all goods and services produced in a country within a specific time period. It is used to measure a country's economic performance.
8. Health Insurance #
A financial mechanism that provides risk protection against healthcare expenses by pooling funds from individuals or organizations.
9. Health Technology Assessment (HTA) #
A systematic evaluation of the social, economic, and clinical impact of healthcare technologies to inform decision-making.
10. Indirect Costs #
Costs associated with the consequences of illness or treatment, such as lost productivity or caregiver burden.
11. Medicaid #
A government program in the United States that provides health insurance to low-income individuals and families.
12. Medicare #
A government program in the United States that provides health insurance to individuals aged 65 and older, as well as some younger people with disabilities.
13. Out #
of-Pocket Payments: Payments made directly by individuals for healthcare services not covered by insurance or other financing mechanisms.
14. Pay #
for-Performance: A payment model that links financial incentives to the quality of care provided by healthcare providers.
15. Provider #
Induced Demand: The phenomenon in which healthcare providers influence patients to demand unnecessary services to increase their revenue.
16. Quality #
Adjusted Life Years (QALYs): A measure that combines the quantity and quality of life gained from a healthcare intervention. It is used in cost-effectiveness analyses.
17. Risk Pooling #
The practice of spreading financial risk across a large group of individuals to reduce the impact of high healthcare costs on any one person.
18. Social Health Insurance #
A financing mechanism in which healthcare costs are covered through contributions from individuals, employers, and the government.
19. Universal Health Coverage (UHC) #
Ensuring that all individuals have access to needed healthcare services without experiencing financial hardship.
20. Value #
Based Healthcare: A delivery model that focuses on improving patient outcomes while reducing costs by aligning incentives with quality of care.
21. Vertical Integration #
The consolidation of healthcare services under one organization to improve coordination and efficiency.
22. World Health Organization (WHO) #
A specialized agency of the United Nations that is responsible for international public health. It provides leadership on global health matters, sets norms and standards, and monitors health trends.