Aging, Time-to-Death and Health Care Expenditure / 中国卫生经济

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the impact of time-to-death(TFD) on the health care expenditure of elderly people.Methods:Using 2011 and 2013 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey(CHARLS) data to construct a two step estimation model so as to analyze the influence of near death on medical expenditure.Results:TTD was a significant factor for medical expenditure.For the period of time to death,there was a significant increase followed by a decrease in the health care expenditure as the patient aged.The higher the age of patient was,the lower the medical cost was.Conclusion:Although the increase of elderly population would bring enormous medical burden to the whole society,it was not easy to link the aging and medical expenses rise.The role of aging on the rise of health care expenditure should not be exaggerated.