Effect of Having a Usual Source of Care on Medical Expenses – Using the Korea Health Panel Data
10.3346/jkms.2019.34.e229
- Author:
Doori KIM
1
;
Sollip KIM
;
Hye Kyeong PARK
;
In Hyuk HA
;
Boyoung JUNG
;
Won Hyung RYU
;
Sang Il LEE
;
Nak Jin SUNG
Author Information
1. Jaseng Spine and Joint Research Institute, Jaseng Medical Foundation, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Usual Source of Care;
Korea Health Panel Data;
Panel Analysis;
Health Expenditure;
Primary Health Care
- MeSH:
Health Expenditures;
Humans;
Inpatients;
Korea;
Outpatients;
Primary Health Care
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2019;34(35):e229-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: There is a controversy about the effect of having a usual source of care on medical expenses. Although many studies have shown lower medical expenses in a group with a usual source of care, some have shown higher medical expenses in such a group. This study aimed to empirically demonstrate the effect of having a usual source of care on medical expenses. METHODS: The participants included those aged 20 years and older who responded to the questionnaire about “having a usual source of care” from the Korean Health Panel Data of 2012, 2013, and 2016 (6,120; 6,593; and 7,598 respectively). Those who responded with “I do not get sick easily” or “I rarely visit medical institutions” as the reasons for not having a usual source of care were excluded. The panel regression with random effects model was performed to analyze the effect of having a usual source of care on medical expenses. RESULTS: The group having a usual source of care spent 20% less on inpatient expenses and 25% less on clinic expenses than the group without a usual source of care. Particularly, the group having a clinic-level usual source of care spent 12% less on total medical expenses, 9% less on outpatient expenses, 35% less on inpatient expenses, and 74% less on hospital expenses, but 29% more on clinic expenses than the group without a usual source of care. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that medical expenses decreased in the group with a usual source of care, especially a clinic-level usual source of care (USC), than in the group without a usual source of care. Encouraging people to have a clinic-level USC can control excessive medical expenses and induce desirable medical care utilization.
