@article{3047571, title = "HEALTH-SERVICES FINANCING IN GREECE - A ROLE FOR PRIVATE HEALTH-INSURANCE", author = "LIAROPOULOS, LL", journal = "Health Policy Research Bulletin", year = "1995", volume = "34", number = "1", pages = "53-62", publisher = "ELSEVIER SCI PUBL IRELAND LTD", doi = "10.1016/0168-8510(94)00702-G", keywords = "PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE; PRIVATE HEALTH EXPENDITURES; PRIVATE HEALTH SECTOR; HEALTH CARE IN GREECE; HEALTH POLICY IN GREECE", abstract = "Private health insurance can play a significant role in the financing and delivery of health services in relatively undeveloped health systems which suffer from limited public expenditures, resource shortages, and quality of care problems. Research results, however, indicate that private health insurance in Greece has not yet assumed that role. The rapid increase of private health insurance was the result of underfinancing by the public sector and restrictive policies for the private sector. The private sector, however, largely financed by private health insurance, found alternative investment and profit opportunities, which, unfortunately, did not improve health system microeconomic efficiency. In this paper we propose that a way of cooperation could exist between the public sector and private health insurance, which would improve public health services provision and the overall technical, allocative and dynamic efficiency of the health system." }