What is the long term impact of voucher scheme on primary care? Findings from a repeated cross sectional study using propensity score matching.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Vouchers are increasingly used as a demand-side subsidy to reduce financial hardship and improve quality of services. Elderly Healthcare Voucher Scheme has been introduced by the Hong Kong Government since 2009 to provide subsidy to elderly aged 65 and above to visit ten different types of private primary care providers for curative, preventive and chronic disease management. Several enhancements have been made over the past few years. This paper (as part of an evaluation study of this unique healthcare voucher scheme) aims to assess the long term impact of the voucher scheme in encouraging the use of primary care services. METHODS:Two rounds of cross-sectional survey among elderly in Hong Kong were conducted in 2010 and 2016. Propensity score matching and analysis were used to

SUBMITTER: Yam CHK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6873583 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature