Unequal Access to Healthcare and Unofficial Under-the-Table Out-of-Pocket Payments

Abstract

In this study we analyse the unequal access to healthcare services in post-communist transitional Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. More specifically, we focus on how unequal access to healthcare services has caused unofficial under-the-table out-of-pocket payments. Herein, we review both the existing theoretical literature and empirical evidence on how unofficial under-the-table out-of-pocket payments lead to unequal access to healthcare services. We then analyse the precursors of paying such payments. Finally, we discuss three possible strategies to address these payments in the context of post-communist transitional countries.