How does health insurance copayment affect the use of medical services and health outcomes

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K13700
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 07040:Economic policy-related
• Research Institution: International University of Japan
• Principal Investigator: Wong Chun Yee 国際大学, 国際関係学研究科, 准教授 (20814164)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: Copayment / Health Insurance / Health Behaviours / Older Adults / Japan

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The study explores how health insurance copayments influence health behaviours and healthcare use among older adults in Japan, using data from the Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions in 2013 and 2016. The findings show that increasing copayments, indicative of reduced insurance coverage, leads to greater adoption of positive health behaviors. Conversely, there is a mixed impact on risky behaviors - while cigarette consumption decreases, alcohol intake rises, especially among educated individuals and males, possibly due to cultural beliefs about alcohol's health benefits in social contexts. Higher education levels amplify changes in health behaviors, indicating the importance of socioeconomic influences. The findings offer valuable evidence-based insights for policymakers aimed at promoting healthy aging and mitigating adverse health outcomes associated with changes in health policy, both in Japan and potentially in other similar contexts globally.

Free Research Field

Health Economics

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

This study advances understanding of how health insurance affects health behaviours. The study provides insights into behavioral responses to financial incentives in healthcare. Moreover, the findings support policymakers aiming to design evidence-based health policies for aging population.