Extreme Temperatures, Hospital Utilization and Public Health Insurance Spending.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

This study examines the impact of extreme temperatures on hospital utilization and public health insurance program spending in a country with no universal health coverage.

Methods

Using nationwide U.S. county-level panel data and a fixed effects model, we estimate the impact of annual variations in the number of hot and cold days on hospital utilization and medical reimbursements for low-income and elderly beneficiaries of public health insurance.

Results

Our results show that extreme heat and mild cold increase medical reimbursements to low-income beneficiaries, while extreme cold increases benefit transfer to the elderly. We find that extreme temperatures have particularly stronger positive effect on hospital admission and inpatient care utilization among

SUBMITTER: Kim Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11859587 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature