Coverage of the emergency health care law and the Compulsory Insurance against Road Traffic Crashes (SOAT)

Objective. The aim of this study was to ascertain, from patients’ perspective, the degree of knowledge and the actual coverage of the Emergency Health Care Law and the Compulsory Insurance against Road Traffic Crashes (SOAT).

Material and methods. A cross-sectional, active surveillance of emergency wards of selected health facilities in three Peruvian cities (Lima, Pucallpa y Ayacucho) was conducted.

Results. Out of 644 surveyed victims, 77% did not know about the law about provision of emergency health care (81% in Lima, 64% in Pucallpa y 93% in Ayacucho; p

Conclusions. In this study, the lack of knowledge about the provision of emergency health care law was important, and the coverage of care was deficient as nearly half of participants reported not to be treated by one or more of the entitlements stated in such law. Road traffic injuries related health care costs were not covered by any insurance scheme in one of three victims. Improvements on citizens’ information about their rights and of effective law enforcement are badly needed to reach a universal and more equitable coverage in the health care of road traffic-related victims.