FACTORS AFFECTING DEVELOPMENT OF VOLUNTARY HEALTH INSURANCE IN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

Voluntary health insurance enables a higher level of healthcare services for users and provision of healthcare services not included in the compulsory health insurance system. One of the main advantages of further development and growth of voluntary health insurance in the Republic of Serbia is a significant reduction of expenses of citizens in the entire healthcare system. A key argument in favour of voluntary health insurance is that, in the context of limited public resources for healthcare, it can advance healthcare policy goals by easing fiscal pressure on the healthcare sector. The situation and trends in the real sector influence development of the insurance sector. In order to improve voluntary health insurance, it is necessary to establish cooperation within compulsory and voluntary health insurance, work on connecting state and private healthcare institutions, provide better promotion of services and influence the increase in health literacy of citizens. Better connection of private and public healthcare institutions, compulsory and voluntary health insurance, better promotion of service packages, better information provided to citizens about this type of health insurance, as well as increasing the standard of living, influence development of the basic factors of voluntary health insurance.

Key words: voluntary health insurance, health protection of citizens, healthcare costs, Herfindahl-Hirschman index.

JEL classification: G22, I13.