This paper aimed to contextualize the Supplemental Health in Brazil, as well as the organization and regulation of this sector, based on literature analysis and on a critical view of the subject. The construction of a supplemental health system took many years and disputes among the several sectors, and the progress came after many years, culminating with the creation of the National Agency of Supplemental Health (ANS) and its later implementation. ANS was in charge of defending the public interest in the supplemental health care and to regulate the sectorial operators, also in their relations with services rendering and consumers, helping develop health actions. Since the number of beneficiaries exceeds 40 million people, the National Agency of Supplemental Health is a reality and a necessity for the Brazilian health sector. ANS's possibilities are excellent with the creation, verification and spreading of quality, promotion and integral health care indicators, and the search for operators' qualification stimulates regulation. On the other hand, it is needed that ANS acts more directly in the confusing relations among health plans operators, services rendering and beneficiaries, mediating tensions and contributing to the improvement of health care system as a whole.
supplemental health; ANS; regulation
