Abstract:
Results show that member parturients (women about to give birth) of community-based health insurance programs, also known as mutual health organizations (MHO), went to healthcare centres sooner and were discharged more quickly after delivery than non-members. For hospitalized parturients, being a member did not shorten hospital stay, total length of episode of care, or time between appearance of symptoms and recourse to care. However, regarding expenses, MHO parturients paid one-third less than non-members for a delivery. This proportion could reach 40% if she was hospitalized, confirming MHO’s capacity to protect households financially.
