Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/270553 
Year of Publication: 
2015
Series/Report no.: 
CINCH Series No. 2015/08
Publisher: 
University of Duisburg-Essen, CINCH - Health Economics Research Center, Essen
Abstract: 
In this study we exploit a regulation in Colombia that exogenously changes health insurance coverage of young adult dependents, specifically those turning 18 years old, to analyze the effects of losing health insurance coverage on their health service usage and health status. We assess this effect using a regression discontinuity design (RDD) and data from the Encuesta Nacional de Calidad de Vida Survey for Colombia from 2010 to 2013. Losing coverage implies an increase in the cost of some medical services which may reduce their consumption (i.e. preventive services). Additionally, since under Colombian regulations, emergency department (ED) visits cannot be denied to anyone, regardless of health insurance status, uninsured young adults tend to use this service more instead of regular medical services (such as preventive healthcare or visits to physicians or specialists). We find, consistent with the change in relative prices, that losing health insurance when turning 18 years old increases the visits to the ED, reduces preventive care visits with a physician, and reduces the usage of other medical services. These results imply a substitution of cheaper medical services for more expensive ones when individuals turn 18 years old in Colombia.
Subjects: 
Health Insurance
Young Adults
Healthcare Usage
Emergency Department Visits
Columbia's Healthcare System
Regression Discontinuity
Developing Country
JEL: 
G22
I13
I18
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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