Transitions from private to public health coverage among children: estimating effects on out-of-pocket medical costs and health insurance premium costs.
Health Serv Res
; 46(3): 840-58, 2011 Jun.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21306364
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To assess the effects of transitions from private to public health insurance by children on out-of-pocket medical expenditures and health insurance premium costs. DATA SOURCES Data are drawn from the 1996 and 2001 panels of the Survey of Income and Program Participation. We construct a nationally representative, longitudinal sample of children, ages 0-18, and their families for the period 1998-2003, a period in which states raised public health insurance eligibility rates for children. STUDYDESIGN:
We exploit the Survey of Income and Program Participation's longitudinal design to identify children in our sample who transition from private to public health insurance. We then use a bootstrapped instrumental variable approach to estimate the effects of these transitions on out-of-pocket expenditures and health insurance premium costs. PRINCIPALFINDINGS:
Children who transition from private to public coverage are relatively low-income, are disproportionately likely to live in single-mother households, and are more likely to be Black or of Hispanic origin. Child health status is highly predictive of transitions. We estimate that these transitions provide a cash-equivalent transfer of nearly U.S.$1,500 annually for families in the form of reduced out-of-pocket and health insurance premium costs.CONCLUSIONS:
Transitions from private to public health coverage by children can bring important social benefits to vulnerable families. This suggests that instead of being a net societal cost, such transitions may provide an important social benefit.
Texto completo:
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Efeitos Psicossociais da Doença
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Cobertura do Seguro
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Financiamento Pessoal
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Seguro Saúde
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Assistência Médica
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2011
Tipo de documento:
Article