This study examines community health funds (CHF) in Tanzania to evaluate the role of community health funds in lowering the barriers to access health care. The authors found that protection by the community schemes drastically increases participants’ demand for health care. The authors’ concluded: a) despite exemption mechanisms, the poorest of the poor within the society are not reached as they can not afford to pay regular insurance premiums; b) those who could afford the scheme were 15% more likely to get treatment than those in non-member households. Being insured leads to an increase in demand for health care; and c) members of the community health fund are better financially protected against health risks than non members. The authors propose the importance of micro insurance schemes in the risk management of people in developing countries.
