Technical Seminar: Improving health insurance systems, coverage and service quality

10–13 October 2023 | Seoul, Korea, Republic of

Technical Seminar: Improving health insurance systems, coverage and service quality

10–13 October 2023 | Seoul, Korea, Republic of

The ISSA Technical Seminar on improving health insurance systems, coverage and service quality will be hosted by the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), in Seoul, Republic of Korea, 10⁠–⁠12 October 2023. It is organized in collaboration with the Technical Commission on Medical Care and Sickness Insurance and the ISSA Liaison Office for East Asia.

Universal health coverage (UHC) is crucial for global health. Social and national health insurance systems play a pivotal role in enhancing health care quality and ensuring equal access for citizens.

While national health insurance systems offer comprehensive and equitable access to health care in many countries, their implementation poses various challenges and requires continuous adaptations to a rapidly changing context.

Common challenges include reaching all population groups through insurance-based mechanisms, addressing the needs of an aging population, managing increased demand for medical care, and securing sustainable financial resources. Regulating expenditure, improving accessibility through digital technologies, and emphasizing screening and prevention are crucial aspects to consider.

The Technical Seminar aims to identify innovative solutions and good practices in extending health coverage to all populations. This objective aligns with the ISSA Guidelines on administrative solutions for coverage extension. Regulatory mechanisms and legal frameworks are crucial in fostering the quality and accessibility of health care services and products. They should ensure the financial sustainability of health care systems in a context of ever-increasing expenses linked to chronic diseases and population ageing, and they should promote innovation and ways to manage shocks, such as COVID-19.

The working language will be English. The Technical Seminar is open to representatives of ISSA member institutions from Asia and the Pacific, and members of the Technical Commission on Medical Care and Sickness Insurance, as well as invited participants. There is no registration fee for ISSA members.