Tehran University of Medical Sciences Reports Findings in Mental Health Diseases and Conditions (Development of attributes and levels of mental health insurance services using a discrete choice experiment): Mental Health Diseases and Conditions

2023 JUL 19 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- New research on Mental Health Diseases and Conditions is the subject of a report. According to news originating from Tehran, Iran, by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, “Despite the fact that mental illness is among the ten top diseases with the highest burden, the health services required by these patients do not have adequate insurance coverage. The purpose of this study is to develop the attributes and levels of mental health insurance services using a discrete choice experiment (DCE).”

Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research from the Tehran University of Medical Sciences, “This study involved a qualitative phase of the DCE that was conducted in Iran in 2020-2021 and included several stages. First, during a literature review, the attributes and levels were determined. Then, the attributes of health insurance were identified and weighed through virtual and in-person interviews with 16 mental health insurance professionals and policymakers in this field who were selected by purposive sampling. Finally, after a few sessions, through review studies, interviews, and a group of the expert panel, attributes and levels were finalized. This study showed that coverage of inpatient services, outpatient services, place of receiving services, use of online internet services, limitation of services, and monthly premiums were the most important attributes of mental health insurance services. To promote mental health insurance, policymakers and health insurance organizations should pay attention to premiums to be commensurate with the payment of people, packages of mental health services, and the ability of people to pay in appropriation with inflation.”

According to the news editors, the research concluded: “Identifying these attributes can determine people’s willingness to pay and preferences for mental health insurance and lead to better planning for more comprehensive coverage for patients and increase the desirability of individuals in receiving services.”

For more information on this research see: Development of attributes and levels of mental health insurance services using a discrete choice experiment. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 2023;12:134.

The news correspondents report that additional information may be obtained from Hamid Talebianpour, Dept. of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Additional authors for this research include Hojjat Rahmani, Sayedeh Elham Sharafi, Rajabali Daroudi and Ebrahim Jaafaripooyan.

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