Metadata

Patient Cost Sharing and Healthcare Utilization in Early Childhood: Evidence from a Regression Discontinuity Design

Version
1
Resource Type
Dataset : administrative records data
Creator
  • Yang, Tzu-Ting (Academia Sinica)
  • Han, Hsing-Wen (Tamkang University)
  • Lien, Hsien-Ming (National Chengchi University)
Publication Date
2020-07-23
Funding Reference
  • Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan
    • Award Number: MOST 103-2410-H-004 -010 -MY2
Free Keywords
Economics
Description

  • Abstract

    This paper estimates the price elasticity of healthcare utilization in early childhood. We employ a regression discontinuity design by exploiting a subsidy that reduces patient cost-sharing for children aged under 3 in Taiwan. Using longitudinal medical claims of over 410,000 children, we find a modest price elasticity of outpatient expenditure (e.g. -0.10 for regular outpatient care). Furthermore, increased cost-sharing at age 3 largely decreases the chance of visiting high-intensity healthcare providers (e.g. teaching hospitals) for minor illnesses. In contrast, children’s utilization of inpatient care is price insensitive, providing a rationale for full inpatient care coverage to children.

  • Weighting

    Not applicable

  • Technical Information

    Response Rates: We use administrative records data.

  • Technical Information

    Presence of Common Scales: Not applicable
Temporal Coverage
  • 1997-01-01 / 2008-12-31
    Time Period: Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1997--Wed Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 2008
Geographic Coverage
  • Taiwan
Sampled Universe
All children under age 4 in Taiwan. Smallest Geographic Unit: County
Sampling
We use administrative records data.
Collection Mode

  • other;

Availability
Download
Relations
  • Is version of
    DOI: 10.3886/E111421

Update Metadata: 2020-07-23 | Issue Number: 1 | Registration Date: 2020-07-23