Patients pay doctor's bills and are reimbursed by sickness insurance funds.

BBC: Healthcare around the world

Banks in Britain gave up their legal challenge to claims they had mis-sold payment-protection insurance (covering sickness and unemployment) on credit cards and mortgages, and agreed to pay compensation to customers.

ECONOMIST: Business this week

Meanwhile, in Germany, "sickness funds"--the equivalent of insurance companies--have imposed strict budgets on doctors for prescription drugs.

FORBES: Uncommon Sense