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The effects of patient cost‐sharing on adolescents' healthcare utilization and financial risk protection: Evidence from South Korea

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  • Seonghoon Kim
  • Kanghyock Koh
  • Wonjun Lyou

Abstract

We examine the effects of patient cost‐sharing on adolescents' healthcare utilization and out‐of‐pocket medical expenditures by exploiting the healthcare reform in South Korea that lowered the coinsurance rate for inpatient care from 20% to 5% for children under 16. We apply a difference‐in‐regression‐discontinuities design using administrative claims data. We find that the reform increased adolescents' inpatient care utilization. It also reduced out‐of‐pocket healthcare expenditures. This effect was larger among low‐income households, facilitating income redistribution. However, the lack of evidence on health improvements and household consumption spending responses suggests that generous patient cost‐sharing for adolescent healthcare may cause efficiency losses.

Suggested Citation

  • Seonghoon Kim & Kanghyock Koh & Wonjun Lyou, 2024. "The effects of patient cost‐sharing on adolescents' healthcare utilization and financial risk protection: Evidence from South Korea," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 62(3), pages 1009-1023, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecinqu:v:62:y:2024:i:3:p:1009-1023
    DOI: 10.1111/ecin.13221
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