Failure to pay for social health insurance premiums: Acts of protest or desperation?

ABSTRACT:

Background

In Switzerland, basic health insurance is mandatory for all inhabitants, but a rising number of insured have arrears in premium payments, potentially leading to coverage suspension. We aimed at characterizing insured with debt enforcement proceedings with respect to socio-demographic and health utilization aspects.

Methods

Cross-sectional analysis of 508.000 insured with basic health insurance contracts in 2013, of whom 14,000 (2.8%) with debt enforcement proceedings, from 11 Swiss cantons. Groups were characterized using logistic regression and latent class analysis.

Results

Insured with debt enforcement proceedings were more likely to be young, male and without dependents (partner, kids). Having no supplementary insurance and receiving partial premium sub

SUBMITTER: von Wyl V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4721413 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature