Table 1 Examples of regulatory instruments and relations relevant to the Bulgarian context
From: Regulatory barriers to equity in a health system in transition: a qualitative study in Bulgaria
Between government/financing agencies and patients | • Systems of financing and decisions on the statutory health system • Population coverage: setting out the breadth (proportion of population covered), scope (range of benefits covered), and depth (proportion of benefit costs covered) of benefits |
Between financing agencies and service providers | • Provider payment mechanisms • Harnessing the market in contracting for health services • Access of providers to health care markets and financing agencies |
Between service providers and patients | • Access of patients to health care providers • Patient rights, litigation, criminal damages • Mandatory reporting by providers of quality information, price lists and performance • Self-regulation of providers through professional codes of practice and voluntary or mandatory accreditation schemes |