Cost-Sharing as a Financing Mechanism in the Greek Primary Health Care: An Assessment from the Managers’ Perspective

Abstract

Cost-sharing was recently introduced in the Greek Primary Health Care, as a supplementary mechanism to finance spiraling health expenditure and to make patients cost-conscious. A specific questionnaire was distributed to the 188 managers of the health centres in Greece (response rate 93 per cent). The research was conducted from June 2011 to May 2012. Statistical analysis was performed using the Pearson x2 test, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, the t-test and the Mann-Whitney test at p<0.05 level of significance. 73 per cent of the managers stated that the introduction of the cost-sharing had a positive impact on patients‟ compliance and 66.3 per cent that the financing mechanism has contributed to cost consciousness from both the patients and personnel. The revenues from medical fees do not cover the running costs of health centres (81.5 per cent) and they do not promote a more effective delivery of services (80 per cent). 61 per cent of managers characterise cost-sharing as a positive step and 80 per cent support the economic autonomy of health centres. Managers stated that cost-sharing has a positive impact on patients‟ cost-consciousness and in the financing of the primary health care in Greece, but this policy option alone doesn‟t assure the financial and administrative viability of the health centres.