The U.S. Health Insurance System and Health Care Services
- HealthXcelerate
Group Enrollment Option A program that is a popular choice for organizations and institutions to purchase in bulk.
Explore the intricate dynamics that shape the U.S. health care payer landscape, including the roles of private insurers, government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, ACA-sponsored state exchanges, and self-pay options. Examine the regulatory frameworks that govern these systems and their impact on patient access and coverage.
- Online; Self-Paced
Enroll and gain access to course materials to complete at your own pace.
$495
Explore options to bundle courses and save.
Certificate
Earn a short course certificate of completion when you finish all coursework within 8 weeks.
3-4 Hours
Most people can expect to complete short courses in 3-4 hours.
On This Page
Overview
In the US Health Insurance System and Health Care Services, led by Benjamin Sommers, MD, PhD, you will examine how Americans obtain, use, and finance health insurance—and how this fragmented system shapes access to care, costs, and health outcomes. You’ll explore the major sources of coverage, including employer-sponsored insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and ACA Marketplace plans, and analyze how factors such as income, age, employment, immigration status, and state of residence influence who is covered and who remains uninsured.
Building on this foundation, you’ll investigate how benefit design and cost sharing affect patient and provider behavior, the challenges posed by issues like moral hazard and adverse selection, and the tools used to control costs and stabilize insurance markets. You’ll then connect these dynamics to current policy debates around Medicaid financing, Medicare and Medicare Advantage, prescription drug pricing, and proposals for universal coverage, equipping you to assess the strengths and limitations of the US payer system and evaluate reforms aimed at improving cost, coverage, and equity.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the relationships among affordability, provider payment, and patient access to care.
- Compare the distinct features of traditional Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and Medicaid Managed Care.
- Identify and evaluate the effectiveness of common insurance design tools.
- Compare the structural implications of different Medicaid funding models and how impact varies by state.
- Predict the impact of different approaches of private insurance marketplaces on enrollment, premium trends, and consumer experience.
Who Should Participate
Health care professionals throughout the industry seeking better understanding of the health care system
About the Course
HealthXcelerate courses offer a foundational, 360‑degree view of the health care ecosystem, drawing on the expertise of Harvard Medical School faculty and industry leaders. With a focus on the patient experience, the curriculum explores how the U.S. system compares with those of other countries, how clinical care connects to the broader health care industry, and how patients navigate and influence the system. Learners who complete HealthXcelerate courses build fluency and credibility in communicating key issues, critically assessing barriers to quality and access, and identifying opportunities for leadership and innovation.
Who Should Enroll
This program will benefit industry and clinical leaders across the health care ecosystem; research and innovation managers with increasing global responsibility; entrepreneurs and consultants; business and technology professionals who work closely with health care organizations; and those transitioning into the health care space.
Bundle Pricing
Are you ready to elevate your educational journey and maximize the investment in your future?
You can bundle up to five courses. Bundle discounts apply to all courses selected. A bundle can consist of courses in the same upcoming enrollment period or the following enrollment period.
Two-course bundle: 25% discount
Three-course bundle: 30% discount
Four-course bundle: 35% discount
Five-course bundle: 40% discount
Faculty Leads
Each course within the HealthXcelerate program features Harvard Medical School faculty and leading experts in the field.
Benjamin Sommers
MD, PhD
- Huntley Quelch Professor of Health Care Economics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
- Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
HealthXcelerate is an excellent opportunity to learn more about all aspects of the U.S. health care system. The flexible course framework makes it easier to integrate into my busy work days than other programs.
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