The Impact of Moral Hazard on Healthcare Utilization in Romania
Author Information
Author(s): Huțu Daniela, Cumpăt Carmen Marinela, Grădinaru Andreea, Rusu Bogdan
Primary Institution: Alexandru Ioan Cuza University
Hypothesis
How does moral hazard affect healthcare utilization in Romanian public hospitals?
Conclusion
Insured patients in Romania tend to choose more expensive treatments, highlighting the impact of moral hazard on healthcare utilization.
Supporting Evidence
- Insured patients preferred more expensive treatments compared to uninsured patients.
- Patients with insurance showed a tendency to delay treatment less than uninsured patients.
- Financial constraints significantly influenced treatment choices among uninsured individuals.
Takeaway
When people have health insurance, they often pick pricier treatments because they don't have to pay for them directly, which can lead to unnecessary spending.
Methodology
A quantitative research approach utilizing vignettes to simulate real-world decision-making under different insurance conditions.
Potential Biases
Potential biases in self-reported data and the specific context of Romanian healthcare may affect the findings.
Limitations
The study is limited to Romanian public hospitals and may not generalize to other healthcare systems.
Participant Demographics
Participants included individuals with varying insurance statuses, primarily from the Romanian public healthcare system.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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