Title: Privatization of health care provision in a transition economy : lessons from Macedonia /
Authors: Nordyke, Robert.; Rand Graduate School; Rand Corporation.
Publisher: RAND,
Year: 2000
Subjects: Private Sector legislation & jurisprudence; Health Policy; Capitation Fee; Privatization; Primary Health Care economics; Medical economics North Macedonia; Privatization North Macedonia; Medical care North Macedonia; Medical policy North Macedonia; Republic of North Macedonia
Abstract: "The Republic of Macedonia is undertaking sweeping reforms of its health sector. Funded by a World Bank credit, the reform program seeks to improve the efficiency and quality of primary health care (PHC) by significantly strengthening the role of the market in health care provision. On the supply-side, one of the key HSTP proposals is to implement a capitation payment system for PHC physicians. By placing individual physicians on productivity-based contracts, these reforms will effectively privatize all PHC provision. In addition, the Ministry of Health is considering the sale of public PHC clinics to private groups, indicating the government's commitment to marketization of health care provision. Macedonia is in a unique position to develop a new role for the private sector in health care provision. The private provision of outpatient care was legalized soon after independence in 1991; private physicians now account for nearly 10% of all physicians and 22% of PHC physicians.