Impact of Medical Insurance on Health Behavior in China
Author Information
Author(s): Chen Linhong, Zhang Lingyu, Xu Xiaocang
Primary Institution: Chongqing Technology and Business University
Hypothesis
How does medical insurance affect outpatient and hospitalization costs among middle-aged and older adults in China?
Conclusion
Medical insurance reduces out-of-pocket medical expenditure but may lead to increased outpatient and hospitalization costs due to moral hazard.
Supporting Evidence
- Medical insurance reduces the probability of outpatient visits but increases hospitalization probability.
- Out-of-pocket medical expenditure decreases by 20.5% with medical insurance.
- Female participants had higher total medical expenditures than male participants.
Takeaway
Medical insurance helps people pay less out of their own pockets for health care, but it can also lead to more unnecessary treatments.
Methodology
The study used the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (CHARLS) and Heckman model to analyze medical insurance's impact on health costs.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from self-selection and reporting inaccuracies in health behavior.
Limitations
The study may not account for all factors influencing medical expenditure and relies on self-reported data.
Participant Demographics
Participants were middle-aged and older adults, with a majority being rural residents and a significant portion covered by medical insurance.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.057
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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