Resource Library

Improving Access to Maternal Health Care through Insurance

This Insight for Implementers presents the experience of two different health insurance systems and their impact on women's access to health care. The following sections introduce the concept of health insurance and its applications in middle- and low-income countries. Two case studies on health insurance that cover maternal health are presented: a national insurance plan for mothers and children in Bolivia and prepayment schemes in Rwanda. Key findings are presented on the performance of the two systems to assess whether they contribute to women's well-being by increasing their access to care. The last section contains lessons learned and guidance for policymakers and implementers.