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Intertemporal substitution in response to non-linear health insurance contracts

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  • Hettinger, Katlyn

Abstract

I explore how non-linear health insurance contracts allow consumers to substitute healthcare in one period for healthcare in another period by increasing consumption in the year the annual deductible was met and decreasing future consumption. I exploit variation in the timing of an injury that generates significant healthcare expenses to identify the causal effect of meeting the deductible on healthcare consumption in the following year. Estimates indicate that there is intertemporal substitution across years in healthcare consumption and that consumers are able to strategically respond to non-linear pricing schemes to undermine the potential savings from deductible plans.

Suggested Citation

  • Hettinger, Katlyn, 2026. "Intertemporal substitution in response to non-linear health insurance contracts," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:pubeco:v:258:y:2026:i:c:s0047272726000782
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2026.105642
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