The association between health literacy, private health insurance, and medical expenditure in South Korea.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Health literacy (HL) is crucial for effective healthcare utilization, but its relationship with private health insurance (PHI) enrollment and medical expenditure in South Korea remains unexplored.

Objectives

This study aimed to examine the associations between HL, PHI enrollment, and annual out-of-pocket (OOP) medical expenditure in South Korea's universal healthcare system.

Methods

Using data from the 2021 Korea Health Panel Study, we analyzed 5,469 participants aged 19-65. Logistic and multinomial logistic regression models were employed to assess factors influencing PHI enrollment. A Gamma GLM with a log- link function was used to examine the relationship between HL, PHI status, and OOP medical expenditure.

Results

Among participants, 70.05% had i

SUBMITTER: Lee J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11744957 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature