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With a little help from my (neighbouring) friends. ‘Border region patient mobility’ in the European Union: A policy analysis

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  • Frischhut, Markus
  • Levaggi, Rosella

Abstract

Increased disparities in income and health care expenditure across EU countries may lead to an increase in patient mobility, which may, in turn, call for more action by the EU and its Member States. At present, patient mobility (or cross-border healthcare) is still a marginal phenomenon but is deemed to increase in the future. In this paper we examine border region patient mobility, defined as patients receiving care in a neighbouring country within a certain proximity. We examine, with the use of a spatial competition model, the options used to regulate such a patient flow and their welfare implications, both for patients and Governments. We show that marginal price costing would lead to an increase in patient welfare, whilst reducing the risk of increasing cost for the exporting country.

Suggested Citation

  • Frischhut, Markus & Levaggi, Rosella, 2024. "With a little help from my (neighbouring) friends. ‘Border region patient mobility’ in the European Union: A policy analysis," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:hepoli:v:146:y:2024:i:c:s0168851024001246
    DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2024.105114
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    EU; Border region; Patient mobility;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H51 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Health
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • K32 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Energy, Environmental, Health, and Safety Law

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