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Potential Effect of Medical Insurance on Medicare: Evidence from China

Authors :
Yongqiu WU
Yi HUANG
Jintao LU
Source :
Iranian Journal of Public Health, Vol 45, Iss 10, Pp 1247-1260 (2016)
Publication Year :
2016
Publisher :
Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 2016.

Abstract

Background: With the increased range of medical insurance coverage in China, the proportion of medical expenditure shouldered by individuals is declining. The problem is the rapidly growing scale of medical expenditures challenges the sustainability of medical insurance funds.Methods: This study used the Heckman selection model, survival analysis, and ordered probit model to evaluate the effect of medical insurance on the expenditures in outpatient and inpatient health care, survival time, and improvement of self-rated health of test subjects, respectively.Results: Medical insurance exerts a differential effect on the expenditures in outpatient and inpatient health care. On average, the expenditures in outpatient and inpatient health care of test subjects participating in premium health insurance plans increased by 38.6% and 72.6%, respectively. Participation in medical insurance plans exhibits no significant correlation with the survival time of test subjects, but their self-rated health shows a significant correlation (P < 0.01).Conclusion: Although medical insurance does not significantly reduce mortality or prolong the survival time of test subjects, it improves their health status. This study suggests that the Chinese government should eliminate deductible medical insurance payments and utilize medical resources on minor ailment treatment and disease prevention to improve the health status of people.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
22516085 and 22516093
Volume :
45
Issue :
10
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Iranian Journal of Public Health
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.38402723b346e78b879c78bd98bd29
Document Type :
article