Interaction between stewardship and social health insurances: A comparative and document analysis

Background: Social health insurances provide protection to access affordable coverage of services and stewardships of health system need to intervene to fulfill these objectives. This study conducted to assess interaction between stewardship and social health insurances. Methods: This qualitative study conducted in two phases as comparative study and document analysis in 2018. Comparative study employed to identify the dimensions and requirements of interaction between stewardship of health systems and social health insurances in countries around the world. In document analysis, all evidence about Iran health financing reviewed. Data extraction forms were used to gather data. Results: There were less interaction between stewardship and social health insurances in revenue collection and risk pooling. Advisory role of stewardship and proposals to coverage of uninsured people and performing risk analysis were some examples of such interaction. In Iran’s health system, where stewardship plays a magnificent role in service provision, the basis of interactions are contracts, payment systems and timeline of payments. Conclusion: Mechanisms of interaction in Iran is not clear or does not work properly. Thus, nonstructural merging of social health insurances needs to redefine these mechanisms.