International Federation of Health Plans 
International Federation of Health Plans
The International Federation of Health Plans was founded in 1968 by a small group of health plan industry leaders. It is now the leading global network in the industry, with more than one hundred member companies from twenty-five countries. Federation member plans meet regularly to share information about health care financing and health care delivery in their home countries.
This year’s survey includes new prescription drug prices in response to increased interest in this area from plans
in many countries. We have also added three new non-drug items to our survey: hip prosthesis, knee
Prices for each country are submitted by participating federation member plans, and are drawn from different
Prices for Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom are from the public sector, with
data provided by one health plan in each country.
Prices for Australia, Chile, the Netherlands, Spain, and South Africa are from the private sector and
represent prices paid by one private health plan in each country.
Prices for France and Argentina are a blend of public and private sector prices with the data provided by
Prices for the United States are calculated from a database with over 100 million paid claims that reflect
prices negotiated between thousands of providers and almost a hundred health plans.
Comparisons across different countries are complicated by differences in sectors, fee schedules, and systems. In
addition, for some countries a single plan’s prices are real for that plan but may not be representative of prices
paid by other plans in that market. The U.S. numbers are based on an aggregate of over a 100 million paid claims
2012 Scanning and Imaging: CT Scan, Abdomen
2012 Scanning and Imaging: CT Scan, Head
2012 Scanning and Imaging: CT Scan, Pelvis
New Zealand Switzerland South Af rica United States
2012 Total Hospital and Physician Cost: Appendectomy
2012 Total Hospital and Physician Cost: Normal Delivery
2012 Total Hospital and Physician Cost: C-Section
2012 Total Hospital and Physician Cost: Cataract Surgery
2012 Total Hospital and Physician Cost: Knee Replacement Surgery
2012 Total Hospital and Physician Cost: Hip Replacement
2012 Total Hospital and Physician Cost: Bypass Surgery
2012 Total Hospital and Physician Cost: Angioplasty
2012 Physician Fees: Routine Office Visit
Celebrex is commonly prescribed for pain.
Vytorin is commonly prescribed for high cholesterol.
Cymbalta is commonly prescribed for depression, anxiety, and fibromyalgia.
Nasonex is commonly prescribed for nasal allergies.
Lipitor is commonly prescribed for high cholesterol.
Nexium is commonly prescribed for acid reflux.
Source: OECD Health Spending 2012. Data represents 2010 or most recent year.
Argentina Source: http://obamacarefacts.com/2012-Comparative-Price-Report.pdf
Drug prices to plummet as expiring patents allow generic competition By: Associated Press July 25, 2011 The cost of prescription medicines used by millions of people every day is about to plummet. The next 14 months will bring generic versions of seven of the world's 20 best-selling drugs, including the top two: cholesterol fighter Lipitor and blood thinner Plavix. The magnitude of th
8: Historical Background: The Abrahamic Faiths Author: Susan Douglass Overview: This lesson provides background on three Abrahamic faiths, or the world religions called Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It is a brief primer on their geographic and spiritual origins, the basic beliefs, scriptures, and practices of each faith. It describes the calendars and major celebrations in each