Managed competition in the Netherlands – A qualitative study

Background: In 2006, the Health Insurance Act changed Dutch health insurance by implementing managed competition, whereby the health insurance market is strongly regulated by the government. The aim of the study is to investigate key stakeholders' opinions about effects of recent changes in Dutch healthcare policy, focussing upon three important requirements for successful managed competition: risk-adjustment, consumer choice and instruments for managed care. Method: Expert interviews with 12 key stakeholders were performed (October/November 2009), transcribed and analyzed in a four-step qualitative process. Res…