While prominence in health policy greatly affects the size of the PHI market – in terms of population coverage, contribution to health financing or scope of government interventions – there is no necessary link between the three factors. There are sizeable PHI markets in a range of health systems with diverse mixes of public and private financing. The size of PHI markets may also result from consumer demand for better choice and more comprehensive cover, even where there is little stimulation through policy levers. Likewise, there is a large variety of institutional arrangements and different policy views towards PHI in the countries where private health cover.
