Can integration reduce inequity in healthcare utilization? Evidence and hurdles in China.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Integration of medical insurance schemes has been prioritized as one of the key strategies to address inequity in China's health system. The first pilot attempt to integrate started in 2003 and later expanded nationwide. This study aims to assess its intended impact on inequity in inpatient service utilization and identify the main determinants contributing to its ineffectiveness.

Methods

A total of 49,365 respondents in the pilot integrated area and 77,165 respondents in the non-integration area were extracted from the Fifth National Health Services Survey. A comparative analysis was conducted between two types of areas. We calculate a concentration index (CI) and horizontal inequity index (HI) in inpatient service utilization and decompose the two indices.

Re

SUBMITTER: Zhao M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6734466 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature