What can we learn from German health incentive schemes?

摘要

Germany first introduced incentives aimed at individuals into its statutory health insurance scheme in 1989, offering reduced copay-ments for dental treatment to people who attended regular check-ups. Since then, many other incentive schemes have been launched. Some welcome these, but others question their rationale and effectiveness and worry that a focus on individual behaviour detracts fromtaking action at the social level. Despite these concerns, other countries, including the United Kingdom, have shown interest in incentive programmes.13 We look at the lessons to be learnt from Germany's experience