Knowledge and Practices regarding the Health insurances and Out-Of-Pocket Payments (OOPs) in Patients Suffering Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) in Tertiary Health Centers of Central India

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases and cerebrovascular accidents are leading cause of mortality among middle aged and older adults in India. It  includes risk factors like tobacco consumption, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, unhealthy diet, alcohol consumption and socioeconomic  deprivation. Moreover, stroke mortality is observed to be rising in rural compared to urban areas.  Healthcare costs in India are rising and hence there is an increase in the cost of healthcare system to the extent that specialized care is  beyond the reach of every common man. Health insurance provides important and necessary changes to the current health care system and  potentially improve system efficacy by helping patients to receive tertiary health care. Hence it is of utmost importance for the people of  rural India to have knowledge regarding the health insurances and out-of-pocket payments (OOPs) and especially patients suffering  cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cerebrovascular Accident (CVA). The sample will be collected from the two selected cities of central India selected for the study (viz, Nagpur and Amravati). Two corporate  hospitals were selected; one from each district was taken under consideration. A total of 77% of the total population suffered from OOPE  (Out of pocket expenditures) where the savings, property, financial assistance from relative/friend or community organization etc. are  utilized for paying for the hospital expense. This shows that the population in our region needs to be made aware about the health care  expenses and the coping mechanisms in order to prevent out-of-pocket expenditures.