Final answer:
Insurance plays a crucial role in healthcare delivery and productivity by providing financial protection, increasing access to care, and improving healthcare outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The role of insurance in healthcare delivery and productivity is crucial. Insurance provides financial protection to individuals and healthcare providers, allowing for timely and appropriate medical care. It helps in reducing the financial burden on individuals by covering a significant portion of their healthcare expenses. Insurance also plays a key role in improving healthcare productivity by incentivizing healthcare providers to deliver efficient and cost-effective care.
For instance, a study by Kantarevic et al. (2011) found that an enhanced fee-for-service model, which incorporated insurance mechanisms, significantly increased physician productivity. This was achieved by providing financial incentives for physicians to see more patients and deliver efficient care.
Similarly, a national study by Finkelstein et al. (2009) showed that health insurance improves healthcare delivery by increasing access to care, promoting preventive services, and reducing disparities in health outcomes.