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Losing health insurance when young: Impacts on usage of medical services and health

In this study we exploit a regulation in Colombia that exogenously changes health insurance coverage of young adult dependents, specifically those turning 18 years old, to analyze the effects of losing health insurance coverage on their health service usage and health status. We assess this effect using a regression discontinuity design (RDD) and data from the Encuesta Nacional de Calidad de Vida for Colombia from 2010 to 2013. Losing coverage implies an increase in the cost of some medical services which may reduce their consumption (i.e. preventive services). Additionally, since under Colombian regulations, emergency department (ED) visits cannot be denied to anyone, regardless of health insurance status, uninsured young adults tend to use this service more instead of regular medical services (such as preventive healthcare or visits to physicians or specialists). We find, consistent with the change in relative prices, that losing health insurance when turning 18 years old increases the visits to the ED, reduces preventive care visits with a physician, and reduces the usage of other medical services. These results imply a substitution of cheaper medical services for more expensive ones when individuals turn 18 years old in Colombia.

Abstract

Description

Subject

Jóvenes | Investigación socioeconómica | Políticas públicas | Salud | Sector público | Servicios públicos | Trabajo y protección social

País / Región

Colombia

URI

https://scioteca.caf.com/handle/123456789/766

Date

2015-04

Cite from this publication

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6.1 Documentos de trabajo en investigación socioeconómica

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Creative Commons license

CC-BY-NC
Except where otherwised noted, this item's license is described as CC-BY-NC
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Files

PaperDeLaMata_VF.pdf (793.99 KB)

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CAF

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