Effect of Having a Usual Source of Care on Medical Expenses – Using the Korea Health Panel Data
Journal of Korean Medical Science
;
: e229-2019.
Article
in English
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-765066
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
There is a controversy about the effect of having a usual source of care on medical expenses. Although many studies have shown lower medical expenses in a group with a usual source of care, some have shown higher medical expenses in such a group. This study aimed to empirically demonstrate the effect of having a usual source of care on medical expenses.METHODS:
The participants included those aged 20 years and older who responded to the questionnaire about “having a usual source of care” from the Korean Health Panel Data of 2012, 2013, and 2016 (6,120; 6,593; and 7,598 respectively). Those who responded with “I do not get sick easily” or “I rarely visit medical institutions” as the reasons for not having a usual source of care were excluded. The panel regression with random effects model was performed to analyze the effect of having a usual source of care on medical expenses.RESULTS:
The group having a usual source of care spent 20% less on inpatient expenses and 25% less on clinic expenses than the group without a usual source of care. Particularly, the group having a clinic-level usual source of care spent 12% less on total medical expenses, 9% less on outpatient expenses, 35% less on inpatient expenses, and 74% less on hospital expenses, but 29% more on clinic expenses than the group without a usual source of care.CONCLUSION:
This study confirmed that medical expenses decreased in the group with a usual source of care, especially a clinic-level usual source of care (USC), than in the group without a usual source of care. Encouraging people to have a clinic-level USC can control excessive medical expenses and induce desirable medical care utilization.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Outpatients
/
Primary Health Care
/
Health Expenditures
/
Inpatients
/
Korea
Type of study:
Health economic evaluation
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Journal:
Journal of Korean Medical Science
Year:
2019
Type:
Article
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