title: Impact of continuous Medical Aid utilisation on healthcare utilisation: unique insight using the 2008-2012 Korean Welfare Panel Study (KOWEPS).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although there has been considerable discussion about the social safety net, few studies related to effect of duration of continuous receipt of Medical Aid on healthcare utilisation have been conducted. Therefore, we investigate whether the duration of receiving Medical Aid affected medical care utilisation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected from the Korean Welfare Panel Study conducted from 2008 to 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  We included 11,783 samples.
  
  
  METHODS
  Estimating changes in their healthcare utilisation during specific time intervals (1, 2 and ≥3 years) after they switched from National Health Insurance to Medical Aid.
  
  
  METHODS
  Number of outpatient visits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The number of outpatient visits per year was 0.0.051-fold higher (p value: 0.434) among those who were Medical Aid beneficiaries for a continuous period of 1 year, 0.0.267-fold higher (p value: 0.000) among those who were beneficiaries for a continuous period of 2 years, and 0.0.562-fold higher (p value:<0.0001) among those who were beneficiaries for a continuous period of 3 years than it was among those who were beneficiaries of National Health Insurance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results reflect an association between the number of consecutive years of receiving Medical Aid and number of outpatient visits. Since duration of dependence is correlated with reduced exit rates, limits on length of benefits should be considered to strengthen the incentive to return to work.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea Institute on Aging, Ajou University Medical Center, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Na Rae
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Eun-Cheol
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kyu-Tae
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Young
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea Department of Hospital management, Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Gyu
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D056910:Republic of Korea; D062707:Return to Work; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: PREVENTIVE MEDICINE; PUBLIC HEALTH