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KMID : 0191120230380390309
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Journal of Korean Medical Science
2023 Volume.38 No. 39 p.309 ~ p.309
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Impact of Coinsurance Reduction Policy on Healthcare Utilization Among Children Under 15
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Kim Young-Hoon
Park Eun-Cheol
Noh Hong-In
Jang Sung-In
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Abstract
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Background : On October 1, 2017, a new coinsurance reduction policy for children under 15 was introduced to minimize the lack of inpatient medical services for economic reasons and secure children’s access to medical care.
Methods : This study analyzes the effect of this coinsurance reduction policy on healthcare utilization using data from the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort between 2015 and 2019. Groups were classified by 3 case groups and a control group according to age. The dependent variables were inpatient cost, admission, length of hospitalization, outpatient cost and visit, and total cost. The difference-in-differences method was used to examine changes in healthcare utilization among the case and control groups after policy implementation.
Results : Children of the age group 1?5 exhibited an increase in inpatient services and a decrease in outpatient services. There was a 16.17% increase in inpatient cost, 8.55% increase in inpatient admission, 10.67% increase in inpatient length of hospitalization, ?9.14% decline in outpatient cost, and ?6.79% decline in outpatient visits. Regarding children in the age groups of 6?10 and 11?15, the effect of the policy was inconclusive.
Conclusion : The reduction in coinsurance rate policy in hospitalization among children has increased inpatient services and reduced outpatient services for 1?5-year-olds?a substitute effect was observed in this group. There is need for further research to examine the long-term effects of the coinsurance reduction policy.
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KEYWORD
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Coinsurance Reduction Policy, Children, Health Insurance Coverage, Healthcare Utilization
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