Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Policy responses

-Promote the flexibility of co-payment requirements
-Free testing and/or provision of essential medicines and preventive gear - targeting  most vulnerable and at-risk populations (including in rural areas)
-Mobile medical units to promote testing and prevention measures
-Public (and in some case private) structures, such as schools, could be transformed in first-aid and prevention healthcare facilities. Private healthcare clinics could be opened to the public during the crisis to support public systems. Governments could partner up with communication networks to send out text messages to all mobile phone users in order to spread accurate and detailed information on safety measures

Collect sex- and age-disaggregated data and conduct vulnerability assessments to identify the most vulnerable men and women, boys and girls, with special attention to people with disabilities, IDPs, migrants and refugees to inform the design of differentiated and mitigation strategies and livelihood strategies that take into account protection against GBV. Raise awareness of existing and potential protection risks and strengthen the capacity of local partners to identify and address these issues.

Links and references
Latest reviews have indicated limited examples of health insurance related reforms specifically focused on rural areas.
Some examples include:
Philippines: The state health insurance agency, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), is providing the following packages for COVID-19 affected populations: Isolation package: amounting to P14,000 for patients under investigation. It can also be claimed by confirmed cases with mild symptoms and PUIs who test negative for COVID-19; Referral package: amounting to P4,000 for patients from Level 1 or lower level hospitals referred to higher level hospitals with capacity for quarantine procedures. In addition to quarantine and isolation costs, PhilHealth will also cover the cost for COVID-19 tests (Source: FAO Country office).
Belgium: Self-employed workers who are incapacitated for work for at least 8 days are entitled to an incapacity for work benefit payable by the health insurance scheme from the first day (Source: World Bank).
Thailand: The Thai social security agency will cover all the medical costs of those infected with COVID-19. In addition, health insurance premiums deduction increased to 25,000 baht from 15,000 (Source: World Bank).
Tunisia: One-off cash transfer of TND50 ($17) to 260,000 households working in the informal sector (a top-up of the already received transfer of TND180 in March, i.e., households registered in the social security system with a free healthcare card)  (Source: World Bank).
 
Pros Reduce the added costs linked to health (preventive care and treatment), that further exacerbate impacts of income and livelihood support. Adopt programmatic actions and policy-oriented measures to address GBV.
Cons Limited access to health insurance (and social insurance) to those living in rural areas preventing adequate support and protection. Women and girls cannot access support services and essential healthcare services with the risk of increasing different types of GBV.
Minimum conditions In terms of health insurance - a well-functioning health system and/or the directive from the national government to temporary provide specific free or subsidized services or inputs (including testing, masks and care). Link to services: refer cash recipients to health services, psychosocial support or livelihood supports like rural advisory services and consider fee waivers. Gender based violence referral pathways must be updated to reflect changes in available facilities, while key communities and service providers must be informed about those updated pathways Consider gender-sensitive digital extension services.
Governance In terms of health insurance: Specific directives also to have a joint plan that is coordinated at supra-ministerial level, identifying the specific contributions of the different sectors.

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