Year: 2016
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: I conduct an empirical analysis of the relation between retirement and outpatient care use in Europe and the US, and investigate the potential driving factors of that. I link the empirical analysis to a theoretical model of medical care demand. I document that pensioners tend to visit a doctor with higher probability and more often than the rest of the 50+ population. Ceteris paribus, being retired implies 3-10 % more outpatient visits in Europe. The estimates are of similar magnitude in the US. The paper contributes to the understanding of how population ageing plays a part in the rising health care expenditures. I find evidence that retirement related individual characteristics, increasing leisure time and stronger health preferences all contribute to the positive relation between retirement and outpatient care use, which is mainly driven by the healthier individuals. The gatekeeper role of general practitioners can mitigate the increased demand for outpatient care services after retirement.
Author: Anikó Bíró
Institution: Corvinus University of Budapest
Language: English
Subfield: Demography
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,890
Awards: HEALTH AND ECONOMIC STATUS IN OLDER POPULATIONS, G4607009072, DEVELOPING AN ISRAELI VERSION OF THE HRS/SHARE PROJECT, RAND Center for the Study of Aging, Understanding and Improving Healthcare Decision-Making and Outcomes for People Living with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias, Health and Retirement Study: Yrs 35-40
OpenAlex ID: W2467671719