Effect of patient reimbursement method on health-care utilization: evidence from China.
For most insurers, traditional methods of controlling health-care demand include deductibles, co-payments, stop-losses, and insurance ceilings. This paper examines the effect of the patient reimbursement method of health insurance (immediate reimbursement or later reimbursement) on individuals' health-care utilization decisions. We find that immediate reimbursement significantly increases the likelihood of patients seeking outpatient treatment in China. We also empirically explore the channels through which immediate reimbursement affects individual's incentives on health-care demand.
Zhong
Hai
H
School of Public Finance and Public Policy, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, China. haizhong@cufe.edu.cn.
D002681:China; D003669:Deductibles and Coinsurance / Q000191:economics* / Q000639:trends; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000191:economics* / Q000639:trends; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms / Q000191:economics* / Q000639:trends; D012423:Rural Health; D013997:Time Factors; D014504:Urban Health