Insurance Underutilization in the Philippines
Author Information
Author(s): Quimbo Stella, Florentino Jhiedon, Peabody John W., Shimkhada Riti, Panelo Carlo, Solon Orville
Primary Institution: School of Economics, University of the Philippines
Hypothesis
What factors contribute to the underutilization of social health insurance among the poor in the Philippines?
Conclusion
The study found that underutilization of social health insurance among insured children in the Philippines averaged about 15%, but declined over time with certain interventions.
Supporting Evidence
- Underutilization of insurance averaged about 15% throughout the study period.
- Interventions aimed at increasing awareness were associated with less underutilization.
- Longer hospital stays and higher maternal education were linked to increased likelihood of filing claims.
Takeaway
Many poor families in the Philippines have health insurance but don't use it, which means they miss out on help when they need it. This study looked at why that happens and found ways to improve the situation.
Methodology
The study analyzed data from exit interviews of children under 5 years old in 30 hospital districts in the Philippines, using logistic regression to identify predictors of insurance underutilization.
Potential Biases
Potential confounding factors were not controlled, making it difficult to attribute increased utilization to specific interventions.
Limitations
The study is limited to children admitted as in-patients in public hospitals in the Visayas region, which may not represent the entire population.
Participant Demographics
The study focused on poor households with children under 5 years old, with an average income of about 65,200 pesos (1,203 USD).
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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