Financing Policies In Hospital Management In Latin America: A Review Of The Literature

Abstract

The growing demand for hospital services in Peru, together with the budgetary limitations of public establishments, has highlighted the need to analyze how financing mechanisms affect the efficiency of the hospital system. The study aims to examine the scientific evidence on the impact of financing policies on hospital management indicators during the period 2021–2025. In the methodology used, a narrative review of the literature was carried out, with articles published between 2021 and 2025 in Scopus, Web of Science and SciELO, in Spanish, English and Portuguese. The process followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and included studies on hospital payment and performance models in Latin America. The results showed that the most commonly used financing mechanisms are capitation, payment per medical act and performance-based models, since these have favored improvements in hospital stay and the use of beds, although with risks associated with quantitative goals and patient selection, factors such as budget sufficiency, management autonomy and the quality of information systems were decisive for their effectiveness. It is concluded that financing policies influence hospital efficiency; however, its impact depends on the design of payment mechanisms, available resources, and institutional capacity. Finally, strengthening management and information systems is key to consolidating the progress observed in the region.