Analysis of payment models applied to federal funding from the perspective of the Brazilian Health System

Abstract

Objective: This study aims at identifying the payment methods existing in the Unified Health System referring to federal transfers to Primary Health Care (PHC) and Specialized Health Care. Methods: A quantitative and analytical study was carried out, developed in three stages: survey of all types of transfers from the Union; classification of each transfer category according to the types of payment methods and measurement of the participation of each payment methods, according to the financing components analyzed, in relation to the net values transferred. Results: Federal transfers were classified into seven payment methods. For PHC, in 2020, approximately R$ 21.7 billion was calculated, including resources destined for the pandemic, and R$ 20.9 billion without considering resources to face the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 50% of the amounts used were classified as capitation, in both cases. For specialized health care, in 2019, around R$ 48.5 billion were calculated, and in 2020 more than R$ 49.2 billion. For the two years, more than 70% of the funds were allocated to fee for service. Conclusions: This study allowed for an expansion in knowledge about the allocation of resources referring to transfers from the Union to states, the Federal District and municipalities. As the payment methods are related to productivity, access and quality of the health service, knowing and identifying the most appropriate payment methods for each situation contributes to the achievement of the goals and to the mitigation of eventual losses of efficiency in the healthcare systems.