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Using the age-based insurance eligibility criterion to estimate moral hazard in medical care consumption

Author

Listed:
  • Yan Zheng

    (JP Morgan Chase and Co., Wilmington, USA)

  • Tomislav Vukina

    (Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, North Carolina State University, Nelson Hall, Raleigh, USA)

Abstract

This paper uses fuzzy regression discontinuity design to estimate the moral hazard effect in health care consumption in the population of young adults. We use invoice data for outpatient hospital services from a regional hospital in Croatia.The estimation is complicated by the fact that the data set consists only of users of medical services, which would tend to underestimate the moral hazard effect. To address this issue we use a modified version of the instrumental variables approach.We find a 92% reduction in the number of hospital visits for individuals who lost insurance coverage when crossing the 18th birthday threshold.

Suggested Citation

  • Yan Zheng & Tomislav Vukina, 2016. "Using the age-based insurance eligibility criterion to estimate moral hazard in medical care consumption," Financial Theory and Practice, Institute of Public Finance, vol. 40(3), pages 337-356.
    • Handle: RePEc:ipf:finteo:v:40:y:2016:i:3:p:337-356
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Yan Zheng & Tomislav Vukina & Xiaoyong Zheng, 2021. "Risk aversion, moral hazard, and gender differences in health care utilization," The Geneva Risk and Insurance Review, Palgrave Macmillan;International Association for the Study of Insurance Economics (The Geneva Association), vol. 46(1), pages 35-60, March.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • I11 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Analysis of Health Care Markets

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