title: [Demand and costs of medical care according to age and sex among the insured members of the Medical Association Assistance Center of Uruguay].
abstract: This study analyzes the demand and use of medical services in terms of age and sex for outpatient care and hospitalization provided to the 272,000 members of the Medical Association Assistance Center in Uruguay, a prepaid nonprofit insurance plan. Individual records were organized into annual usage by five-year age groups and reveal that use of services--consultations, drugs, and hospitalization--increases exponentially after the age of 50. Women utilize from 15% to 41% more services than men. The cost of services shows the same trend. For those over 84 years of age, this cost is US$598 per year, with an average institutional cost of US$166. The study also quantifies differences in risk by age and sex and draws conclusions regarding price and admission policies for new members of collective medical care institutions, which in July 1990 covered 51% of the Uruguayan population.
authors.affiliation: Oficina de Planeamiento y Presupuesto, Presidencia de la República Oriental del Uruguay.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meerhoff
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rígoli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000191:economics; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D014583:Uruguay
vernacular_title: Demanda y costos de atención médica según edad y sexo en los asegurados del Centro de Asistencia del Sindicato Médico del Uruguay.