Though the concept of single-payer healthcare causes a lot of controversy politically, it is actually fairly straightforward and simple. Single-pay health insurance is akin to universal coverage. Though some find this to be a positive effort and others think it brings too much government interference, it does pose an interesting solution to healthcare issues.
Definition
Single-pay health insurance is essentially a health program that's paid for by the government. This means that the government pays for all health services and medical fees on behalf of its citizens.
Participants
Several countries currently have a single-pay health insurance system. They include Britain, Canada and Australia. The U.S. does have a small form of single-pay insurance under Medicare, which covers senior citizens.
Qualifications
The terms and conditions of single-pay insurance vary by country. Some cover everyone, which is called universal healthcare, while others cover people based on set criteria such as income and age.
Types
Single-pay insurance can be broken down into a few categories. First, there is universal healthcare. This means the government pays for the healthcare of all of its citizens no matter what. Others are more limited and restrict coverage to those who meet specific criteria, as outlined above. Single-payer care might also only apply to those who do not receive health coverage from their workplace or who are self-employed.
Payments
Single-pay health insurance is paid for by taxes. The government collects taxes and then pays for any all medical bills by paying the doctors and hospitals a set amount. This eliminates the need for copays and deductibles from insurance companies.
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