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The impact of transitions in insurance coverage on GP visiting among children in Ireland

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  • Nolan, Anne
  • Layte, Richard

Abstract

The use of direct out-of-pocket payments to finance general practitioner (GP) care by the majority of the population in Ireland is unusual in a European context. Currently, approximately 40 per cent of the population have means-tested access to free GP care, while the remainder must pay the full out-of-pocket cost. In this paper, we use nationally representative data from the Growing up in Ireland (GUI) study to examine the impact of transitions in insurance coverage on GP utilisation among children. GUI surveys two cohorts of nearly 20,000 children (aged 9 months and 9 years at baseline); we use data from the first two waves of each cohort (which covers the period 2007–2012). Using difference-in-difference propensity score matching methods, we find significant effects of changes in public health insurance coverage on GP utilisation (i.e., introducing user fees reduces utilisation, while removing them increases utilisation). The results have direct implications for current Irish health policy, and add to the international literature on the effects of insurance on healthcare utilisation.

Suggested Citation

  • Nolan, Anne & Layte, Richard, 2017. "The impact of transitions in insurance coverage on GP visiting among children in Ireland," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 94-100.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:180:y:2017:i:c:p:94-100
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.03.026
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    Cited by:

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    3. Connolly, Sheelah & Keegan, Conor & O'Malley, Seamus & Regan, Mark, 2022. "Extending eligibility for general practitioner care in Ireland: cost implications," Research Series, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), number RS156.
    4. Walsh, Brendan & Keegan, Conor & Brick, Aoife & Connolly, Sheelah & Bergin, Adele & Wren, Maev-Ann & Lyons, Seán & Hill, Leonie & Smith, Samantha, 2021. "Projections of expenditure for primary, community and long-term care Ireland, 2019–2035, based on the Hippocrates model," Research Series, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), number RS126.
    5. Eriksen, Steffen & Wiese, Rasmus, 2019. "Policy induced increases in private healthcare financing provide short-term relief of total healthcare expenditure growth: Evidence from OECD countries," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 71-82.
    6. Walsh, Brendan & Nolan, Anne & Brick, Aoife & Keegan, Conor, 2019. "Did the expansion of free GP care impact demand for Emergency Department attendances? A difference-in-differences analysis," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 222(C), pages 101-111.
    7. Ann, Kirby & Murphy, Aileen, 2022. "Would universal general practitioner care impact Irish adolescents’ utilisation?," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 126(7), pages 652-660.
    8. Mohan, Gretta & Nolan, Anne & Lyons, Seán, 2019. "An investigation of the effect of accessibility to General Practitioner services on healthcare utilisation among older people," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 220(C), pages 254-263.
    9. McDonnell, Thérèse & Nicholson, Emma & Bury, Gerard & Collins, Claire & Conlon, Ciara & Denny, Kevin & O'Callaghan, Michael & McAuliffe, Eilish, 2022. "Policy of free GP care for children under 6 years: The impact on daytime and out-of-hours general practice," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 296(C).
    10. Haaga, Tapio & Böckerman, Petri & Kortelainen, Mika & Tukiainen, Janne, 2024. "Effects of nurse visit copayment on primary care use: Do low-income households pay the price?," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    11. Walsh, Brendan & Lyons, Seán, 2021. "Demand for the Statutory Home Care Scheme," Research Series, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), number RS122.

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