Willingness to pay for health insurance among HIV-positive patients in India
Gupta, I.; Trivedi, M.
Applied Health Economics and Health Policy 12(6): 601-610
2014
ISSN/ISBN: 1179-1896 PMID: 24968867 DOI: 10.1007/s40258-014-0105-xDocument Number: 637764
Standard health insurance products in India currently exclude conditions related to HIV. Although antiretroviral (ARV) drugs are now publicly funded, the burden of treatment due to hospitalization on people living with HIV and AIDS (PLHIV) continues to be high. Unlike many countries, India is yet to eliminate the exclusion clause in standard health insurance products. The overall aim of this study was to understand if PLHIV would be willing to participate in and purchase commercial health insurance, if it were offered to them. This study uses primary survey data to analyse the burden of treatment due to hospitalization and estimates the willingness to pay (WTP) for health insurance based on the contingent valuation approach. The average WTP per year was in the range of Indian rupee (R) 1,145-1,355 or $US20-24, with hospitalization and economic status significantly affecting the WTP. The findings of the study can serve as evidence for possible changes to policy on health insurance that would allow PLHIV to purchase health insurance.
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