The influence of health insurance towards accessing essential medicines: The experience from Shenzhen labor health insurance

ObjectivesDue to major problems of accessing essential medicines, this paper will evaluate the impact of the new Shenzhen labor health insurance on accessing essential medicines among migrant workers.MethodsMedicines data and revenues–expenditures reports from 19 community health service centers in Shenzhen city were collected. Insurance indicators within two periods before and after 1st June 2006 were compared. Paired t-tests using month-values of indicators were performed. P value <0.05 considered statistically significant.ResultsThe proportion of EMs in Medicine List of Shenzhen Labor health insurance is 88.5%. For each period, percentage costs of EM procured (Peem) was 43.1% and increased to 46.1%; costs of medicines per outpatient visit (Empv) was 24.94 RMB and decreased to 22.20 RMB; percentage costs of medicine per outpatient visit (Pe) were 49.1% and decreased to 45.9%; number of outpatient visits (Nov) was 428,328 and increased to 490,305. Values of t for differences in Peem, Empv, Pe and Nov between the two periods were −1.125 (P = 0.285), 3.096 (P = 0.010), 1.458 (P = 0.173) and −2.069 (P = 0.063), respectively.ConclusionsShenzhen labor health insurance had improved accessibility to EMs for migrant workers, and ensured for them basic health services. Popularization of this insurance will benefit more people.