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Risk Selection in Health Insurance Markets

In: Health Economics

Author

Listed:
  • Peter Zweifel

    (University of Zurich)

  • Friedrich Breyer

    (University of Konstanz)

  • Mathias Kifmann

    (University of Augsburg)

Abstract

In the 1990s, several countries exposed their social health insurers to an increased degree of competition in the hope of improving efficiency in health insurance and in their health care sectors. However, as shown in Section 5.4, competitive health insurers tend to charge a high premium to high risks and a low premium to low risks. This is nothing but a generalized version of the ‘price equal to marginal cost’ rule; after all, high risks are characterized by comparatively high expected cost of treatment due to a high probability of being sick. Moreover, for reasons spelled out in Chapter 5, the government wants all citizens to have health insurance.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Zweifel & Friedrich Breyer & Mathias Kifmann, 2009. "Risk Selection in Health Insurance Markets," Springer Books, in: Health Economics, chapter 7, pages 253-291, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-540-68540-1_7
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-540-68540-1_7
    as

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