Developing attributes and levels for a discrete choice experiment on basic health insurance in Iran

Nonmarket stated preferences valuation, especially discrete choice experiments (DCEs), is one of the commonly used techniques in the health sector. The primary purpose of this approach is to help select attributes and attributes-levels that are able to properly describe health care products or services. This study aimed at developing attributes and attributes-levels for basic health insurance system in Iran.

This study was conducted in 3 phases. First, narrative review was performed to identify related attributes. Also, 9 experts were interviewed to identify relevant attributes of health insurance in context. Other 36 experts rated the attributes and levels. Then, the research team decided on the inclusion of attributes and levels in the final design. The design was constructed using generic and D-efficient method with SAS 9.1. The design was divided into 3 blocks, each having 8 choice sets. Finally, the choice set was piloted with 45 participants.

Public hospitals, and private hospitals benefits, dental insurance coverage, inpatient benefits, rehabilitation therapy, and paraclinical benefits, long-term care, medical devices benefits (Ortez, Protez, etc.), and monthly premium were identified and included in the final attribute design (D-efficiency = 98.16). The pilot study revealed that participants could easily understand and answer all the choice sets.

The results of our study indicated that health insurance service benefit packages and premium were among the most important attributes that need to be included in the final attribute design for Iranians. The policymakers and health insurance organizations should emphasize these attributes in the benefit packages to make improvements. The emphasis on these attributes can help elicit people’s preferences and willingness to pay for attributes.