The impact of health insurance on outpatient utilization and expenditure: evidence from one middle-income country using national household survey data
2007

Impact of Health Insurance on Outpatient Care in Jordan

Sample size: 8306 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Björn Ekman

Primary Institution: Lund University, Sweden

Hypothesis

How do different types of health insurance programs affect outpatient care utilization and spending in Jordan?

Conclusion

The study found that health insurance generally increases the intensity of outpatient care utilization and reduces out-of-pocket spending, but the effects vary significantly across different insurance programs and income groups.

Supporting Evidence

  • Around 60% of the population in Jordan is covered by some type of health insurance.
  • Insurance is found to increase the intensity of utilization and reduce out-of-pocket spending.
  • The effects of insurance on utilization and spending differ across income groups.

Takeaway

This study shows that having health insurance helps people go to the doctor more often and pay less, but not everyone benefits equally.

Methodology

The study used econometric techniques to analyze national household survey data from Jordan, focusing on outpatient care utilization and expenditures.

Potential Biases

Potential biases may arise from self-selection into insurance programs and the fragmented nature of the health financing system.

Limitations

The study's findings may not be generalizable to other contexts due to the specific nature of the Jordanian health insurance system.

Participant Demographics

The sample included a diverse population from Jordan, with varying access to different types of health insurance.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1478-4505-5-6

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