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Health Insurance Coverage and Its Impact on Medical Cost: Observations from the Floating Population in China

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Listed:
  • Yinjun Zhao
  • Bowei Kang
  • Yawen Liu
  • Yichong Li
  • Guoqing Shi
  • Tao Shen
  • Yong Jiang
  • Mei Zhang
  • Maigeng Zhou
  • Limin Wang

Abstract

Background: China has the world's largest floating (migrant) population, which has characteristics largely different from the rest of the population. Our goal is to study health insurance coverage and its impact on medical cost for this population. Methods: A telephone survey was conducted in 2012. 644 subjects were surveyed. Univariate and multivariate analysis were conducted on insurance coverage and medical cost. Results: 82.2% of the surveyed subjects were covered by basic insurance at hometowns with hukou or at residences. Subjects' characteristics including age, education, occupation, and presence of chronic diseases were associated with insurance coverage. After controlling for confounders, insurance coverage was not significantly associated with gross or out-of-pocket medical cost. Conclusion: For the floating population, health insurance coverage needs to be improved. Policy interventions are needed so that health insurance can have a more effective protective effect on cost.

Suggested Citation

  • Yinjun Zhao & Bowei Kang & Yawen Liu & Yichong Li & Guoqing Shi & Tao Shen & Yong Jiang & Mei Zhang & Maigeng Zhou & Limin Wang, 2014. "Health Insurance Coverage and Its Impact on Medical Cost: Observations from the Floating Population in China," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(11), pages 1-9, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0111555
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111555
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Zhang, Anwen & Nikoloski, Zlatko & Mossialos, Elias, 2017. "Does health insurance reduce out-of-pocket expenditure? Heterogeneity among China's middle-aged and elderly," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 11-19.
    2. Yan Zhang & Wenxi Tang & Xiang Zhang & Yaoguang Zhang & Liang Zhang, 2015. "National Health Insurance Development in China from 2004 to 2011: Coverage versus Benefits," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(5), pages 1-10, May.
    3. Pan, Yan & Zhong, Wen-fang & Yin, Rong & Zheng, Meng & Xie, Kun & Cheng, Shu-yuan & Ling, Li & Chen, Wen, 2022. "Does direct settlement of intra-province medical reimbursements improve financial protection among middle-aged and elderly population in China? Evidence based on CHARLS data," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 308(C).
    4. Jiannan Li & Bocong Yuan, 2019. "Rural‐urban disparity in risk exposure to involuntary social health insurance transition in China: An investigation of chronic disease patients' mental health problems," International Journal of Health Planning and Management, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(4), pages 1760-1773, October.
    5. Yang Li & Yinjun Zhao & Danhui Yi & Xiaojun Wang & Yan Jiang & Yu Wang & Xinchun Liu & Shuangge Ma, 2017. "Differences exist across insurance schemes in China post-consolidation," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(11), pages 1-13, November.

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