Effects of cost sharing on care seeking and health status: results from the Medical Outcomes Study.
Am J Public Health
; 91(11): 1889-94, 2001 Nov.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-11684621
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
This study sought to determine the effect of cost sharing on medical care use for acute symptoms and on health status among chronically ill adults.METHODS:
Data from the Medical Outcomes Study were used to compare (1) rates of physician care use for minor and serious symptoms and (2) 6- and 12-month follow-up physical and mental health status among individuals at different levels of cost sharing.RESULTS:
In comparison with a no-copay group, the low- and high-copay groups were less likely to have sought care for minor symptoms, but only the high-copay group had a lower rate of seeking care for serious symptoms. Follow-up physical and mental health status scores were similar among the 3 copay groups.CONCLUSIONS:
In a chronically ill population, cost sharing reduced the use of care for both minor and serious symptoms. Although no differences in self-reported health status were observed, health plans featuring cost sharing need careful monitoring for potential adverse health effects because of their propensity to reduce use of care that is considered necessary and appropriate.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Aceptación de la Atención de Salud
/
Enfermedad Crónica
/
Indicadores de Salud
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Seguro de Costos Compartidos
/
Necesidades y Demandas de Servicios de Salud
Tipo de estudio:
Clinical_trials
/
Diagnostic_studies
/
Etiology_studies
/
Health_economic_evaluation
/
Observational_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Aspecto:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
/
Patient_preference
Límite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
País/Región como asunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Am J Public Health
Año:
2001
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos