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Run for cover now or later? The impact of premiums, threats and deadlines on private health insurance in Australia.
- Source :
- International Journal of Health Care Finance & Economics; Dec2008, Vol. 8 Issue 4, p257-277, 21p, 1 Diagram, 2 Charts, 6 Graphs
- Publication Year :
- 2008
-
Abstract
- Between 1997 and 2000 the Australian government introduced three policy reforms that aimed to increase private health insurance coverage and reduce public hospital demand. The first provided income-based tax incentives; the second gave an across-the-board 30% premium subsidy; and the third introduced selective age-based premium increases for those enrolling after a deadline. Together the reforms increased enrolment by 50% and reduced the average age of enrollees. The deadline appeared to induce consumers to enroll now rather than delay. We estimate a model of individual insurance decisions and examine the effects of the reforms on the age and income distribution of those with private cover. We interpret the major driver of the increased enrollment as a response to a deadline and an advertising blitz, rather than a pure price response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- MEDICAL care costs
HEALTH insurance
MEDICAL care
MEDICAL economics
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 13896563
- Volume :
- 8
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- International Journal of Health Care Finance & Economics
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 34833781
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s10754-008-9040-4