This paper summarises the results of a study which examined international experience with regard to community-based health financing (CBHF) schemes, scaling up CBHF schemes, and the feasibility of scaling up community-based health insurance (CBHI) in Armenia. It was based on a literature review of international experience and qualitative research in Armenia. The recommendations derived from this study have relevance both for Armenia and for the use of CBHI schemes as a tool for promoting pro-poor health system reform in low-resource settings more generally