Policy for qualification of supplemental health in Brazil: the role of the Supplemental Health Performace Index

Abstract:

This is an exploratory literature review that aimed to understand the role of the Supplemental Health Performance Index (IDSS) Program of Health Plans Operators Qualification, prepared by the National Health Agency (ANS-PQSS). The working proposal was to increase knowledge about the history of this index as well as the impact of its use for regulation and industry concentration by analysis of official documents and academic papers written on the subject. We noticed that the academic literature is extremely scarce on this subject, which alone justifies the need for further study of the PQSS. The research concluded that the instrument used by the NSA is effective, democratic and participative regarding the achievement of objectives of the Education Program of the Health Plan Operators, and promoted greater transparency to the private subsystem. However, it was also found that the IDSS had a discriminating and concentrating role of the market in favor of private oligopolies, going against the normative principles of the ANS on consumer protection, regulated competition and public interest.

Keywords:
supplemental health; health system assessment; information system; qualification program.