ABSTRACT
This chapter begins by giving a brief overview of the different strategies for extending health insurance coverage, followed by a presentation of what is referred to as “articulated systems” and the potential they have in terms of contracting. It provides a more detailed description of the contracting mechanisms used within the framework of articulated insurance schemes, with a typology and several examples. Extension of health insurance coverage worldwide remains a topical issue, seeing as a large portion of the world’s population still lacks adequate health coverage. Contractual relationships are also a sign of the transparency and efficiency of the system as a whole, and the health sector in particular. Contractual relationships may also link several health insurance systems and a number of health care providers that are organized in unions or federations. Extending health care coverage is a priority in developing countries, where a large portion of the population, are without coverage.
