Establishing a family health fund in Alexandria, Egypt : the quality contracting component of the family health care pilot project

It separates the purchaser and provider functions within a new health insurance system, and assumes the role of a quality contracting agency that will enter into agreements to purchase health services from providers. This paper outlines steps necessary to establish the FHF in Alexandria and describes the steps already taken toward that goal. The paper: (1) discusses the process for managing change and issues that may impede change; (2) presents three institutional options for the location of the FHF and recommends an internal organizational structure and operational principles; (3) describes the critical role of the performance-based contracting and provider incentive payment functions of the FHF in supporting and sustaining high-quality family health care; (4) discusses the importance of the FHF management information system in administering the contracting system as well as in providing data for monitoring, evaluation, cost analysis, and overall effectiveness; and (5) describes FHF communications and marketing activities with respect to their responsibilities to patients, providers, and the general public. The paper uses a conceptual framework for a policy process to discuss issues and approaches related to strategic policy planning and development for the FHF as it evolves into a financing agency within a fully functioning health insurance system. (Author abstract, modified)