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The Effect of Co-Payments on the Take-Up of Prenatal Tests

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  • Di Giacomo, M.
  • Piacenza, M.
  • Siciliani, L.
  • Turati, G.

Abstract

Prenatal screening tests can identify genetic disorders in a fetus, but their take-up remains low in several countries. Using a Regression Discontinuity Design, we test the causal effects of a policy that eliminated co-payments for noninvasive prenatal screening tests in Italy. We find that the policy increases the probability of pregnant women’s undergoing prenatal tests by 7 to 10 percentage points, and the effect varies by socioeconomic status. We do not find evidence of substitution effects with invasive tests or that the tests affect the termination of a pregnancy and newborn health. We do find evidence of positive effects on mothers’ health behaviors during pregnancy.

Suggested Citation

  • Di Giacomo, M. & Piacenza, M. & Siciliani, L. & Turati, G., 2020. "The Effect of Co-Payments on the Take-Up of Prenatal Tests," Health, Econometrics and Data Group (HEDG) Working Papers 20/19, HEDG, c/o Department of Economics, University of York.
    • Handle: RePEc:yor:hectdg:20/19
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Prenatal tests; Co-payments; Maternal and newborn health; Regression Discontinuity Design;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality

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