scholarly journals Relationship of Socioeconomic Status to Arterial Stiffness: Comparison Between Medical Aid Beneficiaries and National Health Insurance Beneficiaries

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 718-725
Author(s):  
Hack-Lyoung Kim ◽  
Jin Yong Lee ◽  
Woo-Hyun Lim ◽  
Jae-Bin Seo ◽  
Sang-Hyun Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
Arterial Stiffness ◽  
National Health Insurance ◽  
National Health ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Low Socioeconomic ◽  
Medical Aid

Abstract Background There is no general agreement on underlying pathophysiology explaining the high burden of cardiovascular disease on people at low socioeconomic status (SES). This study was conducted to investigate the association between healthcare systems and arterial stiffness. Methods A total of 8,929 subjects (60 years old and 55% were male) who underwent brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) measurement were retrospectively analyzed. There were 8,237 National Health Insurance (NHI) beneficiaries (92.2%) and 692 medical aid (MA) beneficiaries (7.8%). The median value of baPWV was 1,540 cm/s. Results Subjects with higher baPWV values (≥1,540 cm/s) were older, and more frequently had cardiovascular risk factors and unfavorable laboratory findings than those with lower values baPWV (<1,540 cm/s). The baPWV values were significantly higher in MA beneficiaries than in NHI beneficiaries (1,966 ± 495 vs. 1,582 ± 346 cm/s, P < 0.001). The proportion of MA beneficiaries was significantly higher in subjects with higher baPWV than those with lower baPWV (13.1% vs. 2.3%, P < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, MA beneficiaries were significantly associated with higher baPWV values even after controlling for potential confounders (odds ratio, 5.41; 95% confidence intervals, 4.02–7.27; P < 0.001). Conclusions The baPWV values were significantly higher in MA beneficiaries than in NHI beneficiaries. The result of this study provides additional evidence on the association between low SES and arterial stiffening.

scholarly journals Comparison of Out-of-pocket Expenditure and Catastrophic Health Expenditure  for Severe Disease by Health Security System: based on End-stage Renal Disease in South Korea

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sun Mi Shin ◽  
Hee Woo Lee
Keyword(s):  
Health Insurance ◽  
Renal Disease ◽  
National Health Insurance ◽  
National Health ◽  
End Stage Renal Disease ◽  
Security System ◽  
Health Security ◽  
Medical Aid ◽  
Stage Renal Disease ◽  
End Stage

Abstract Background: Korea's health security system named National Health Insurance and Medical Aid has revolutionized the nation's mandatory health insurance and continues to reduce excessive copayments. However, few have been studied on healthcare utilization and expenditure according to the health security system in case of severe disease. This study looked at reverse discrimination within End-stage Renal Disease between National Health Insurance and Medical Aid. Methods: Subjects were a total of 305 diagnosed with End-stage Renal Disease in Korea Health Panel from 2008 to 2013. Chi-square, t-test, and ANCOVA were conducted to identify healthcare utilization rate, out-of-pocket expenditure, and prevalence of catastrophic expenditure. Mixed effect panel analysis was used to evaluate total out-of-pocket expenditure over a 6-year trend by National Health Insurance and Medical Aid. Results: There were no significant differences in healthcare utilization rate in emergency-room visits, admission, or out-patient department visits between National Health Insurance and Medical Aid because healthcare service was essential for a serious disease such as End-stage Renal Disease. Meanwhile, each out-of-pocket expenditure for admission and out-patient department in National Health Insurance was 2.6 and 3.1 times higher than Medical Aid (P<0.05). A total of out-of-pocket expenditure including emergency-room visits, admission, out-patient department visits, and prescribed drug expenditure was 2.9 times higher in National Health Insurance than those of Medical Aid (P<0.001). Over a 6-year trend for a total of out-of-pocket expenditure, subjects with National Health Insurance spent more than those of Medical Aid (P<0.01). If total household income decile was less than the median and subjects were covered by National Health Insurance, the catastrophic health expenditure rate was 92.2%, but 58.8% in Medical Aid (P<0.001). Conclusion: Serious disease such as End-stage Renal Disease can result in reverse discrimination depending on the type of health security system. It is necessary to consider those who belong to National Health Insurance but are still poor.

scholarly journals Impact of insurance type on outcomes in cardiac arrest patients from 2004 to 2015: A nation-wide population-based study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0254622
Author(s):  
Si Jin Lee ◽  
Kap Su Han ◽  
Eui Jung Lee ◽  
Sung Woo Lee ◽  
Myung Ki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
National Health Insurance ◽  
National Health ◽  
Hospital Costs ◽  
Medical Aid ◽  
Insurance Type ◽  
Hospital Factors ◽  
One Year

Objectives There do not appear to be many studies which have examined the socio-economic burden and medical factors influencing the mortality and hospital costs incurred by patients with cardiac arrest in South Korea. We analyzed the differences in characteristics, medical factors, mortality, and costs between patients with national health insurance and those on a medical aid program. Methods We selected patients (≥20 years old) who experienced their first episode of cardiac arrest from 2004 to 2015 using data from the National Health Insurance Service database. We analyzed demographic characteristics, insurance type, urbanization of residential area, comorbidities, treatments, hospital costs, and mortality within 30 days and one year for each group. A multiple regression analysis was used to identify an association between insurance type and outcomes. Results Among the 487,442 patients with cardiac arrest, the medical aid group (13.3% of the total) had a higher proportion of females, rural residents, and patients treated in low-level hospitals. The patients in the medical aid group also reported a higher rate of non-shockable conditions; a high Charlson Comorbidity Index; and pre-existing comorbidities, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and renal failure with a lower rate of providing a coronary angiography. The national health insurance group reported a lower one-year mortality rate (91.2%), compared to the medical aid group (94%), and a negative association with one-year mortality (Adjusted OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.71–0.76). While there was no significant difference in short-term costs between the two groups, the medical aid group reported lower long-term costs, despite a higher rate of readmission. Conclusions Medical aid coverage was an associated factor for one-year mortality, and may be the result of an insufficient delivery of long-term services as reflected by the lower long-term costs and higher readmission rates. There were differences of characteristics, comorbidities, medical and hospital factors and treatments in two groups. These differences in medical and hospital factors may display discrepancies by type of insurance in the delivery of services, especially in chronic healthcare services.

scholarly journals Minimizing the Risk of Catastrophic Health Expenditure in China: A Multi-Dimensional Analysis of Vulnerable Groups

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiahui Wang ◽  
Xiao Tan ◽  
Xinye Qi ◽  
Xin Zhang ◽  
Huan Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Health Expenditure ◽  
Household Head ◽  
Catastrophic Health Expenditure ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Medical Expenditure ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Low Socioeconomic

Background: In moving toward universal health coverage in China, it is crucial to identify which populations should be prioritized for which interventions rather than blindly increasing welfare packages or capital investments. We identify the characteristics of vulnerable groups from multiple perspectives through estimating catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) and recommend intervention priorities.Methods: Data were from National Health Service Survey conducted in 2003, 2008, and 2013. According to the recommendation of WHO, this study adopted 40% as the CHE threshold. A binary regression was used to identify the determinants of CHE occurrence; a probit model was used to obtain CHE standardized incidence under the characteristics of single and two dimensions in 2013.Results: The total incidence of CHE in 2013 was 13.9%, which shows a general trend of growth from 2003 to 2013. Families in western and central regions and rural areas were more at risk. Factors related to social demography show that households with a female or an unmarried head of household or with a low socioeconomic status were more likely to experience CHE. Households with older adults aged 60 and above had 1,524 times higher likelihood of experiencing CHE. Among the health insurance schemes, the participants covered by the New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme had the highest risk compared with the participants of all basic health insurance schemes. Households with several members seeking outpatient, inpatient care or with non-communicable diseases were more likely to experience CHE. Households with members not seeing a doctor or hospitalized despite the need for it were more likely to experience CHE. Characteristics such as a household head with characteristics related to low socioeconomic status, having more than two hospitalized family members, ranked high. Meanwhile, the combination of having illiterate household heads and with being covered by other health insurance plans or by none ranked the first place. Cancer notably caused a relatively high medical expenditure among households with CHE.Conclusion: In China, considering the vulnerability of the population across different dimensions is conducive to the alleviation of high CHE. Furthermore, people with multiple vulnerabilities should be prioritized for intervention. Identifying and targeting them to offer help and support will be an effective approach.

scholarly journals Assessing and coping with the financial burden of computed tomography utilization in Limbe, Cameroon: a sequential explanatory mixed-methods study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Tambe ◽  
Lawrence Mbuagbaw ◽  
Pierre Ongolo-Zogo ◽  
Georges Nguefack-Tsague ◽  
Andrew Edjua ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Insurance ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Financial Hardship ◽  
Low Socioeconomic ◽  
Ct Utilization ◽  
Explanatory Mixed Methods ◽  
Depth Interviews

Abstract Background There has been a significant increase in computed tomography (CT) utilization over the past two decades with the major challenges being a high exposure to ionizing radiation and rising cost. In this study we assess the risk of financial hardship after CT utilization and elaborate on how users adapt and cope in a sub-Saharan context with user fee for services and no national health insurance policy. Methods We carried out a sequential explanatory mixed methods study with a quantitative hospital-based survey of CT users followed by in-depth interviews of some purposively selected participants who reported risk of financial hardship after CT utilization. Data was summarized using frequencies, percentages and 95% confidence intervals. Logistic regression was used in multivariable analysis to determine predictors of risk of financial hardship. Identified themes from in-depth interviews were categorized. Quantitative and qualitative findings were integrated. Results A total of 372 participants were surveyed with a male to female sex ratio of 1:1.2. The mean age (standard deviation) was 52(17) years. CT scans of the head and facial bones accounted for 63% (95%CI: 59–68%) and the top three indications were suspected stroke (27% [95%CI: 22–32%]), trauma (14% [95%CI: 10–18%]) and persistent headaches (14% [95%CI: 10–18%]). Seventy-two percent (95%CI: 67–76%) of the respondents reported being at risk of financial hardship after CT utilization and predictors in the multivariable analysis were a low socioeconomic status (aOR: 0.19 [95%CI: 0.10–0.38]; p < 0.001), being unemployed or retired (aOR: 11.75 [95%CI: 2.59–53.18]; p = 0.001) and not having any form of health insurance (aOR: 3.59 [95%CI: 1.31–9.85]; p = 0.013). Coping strategies included getting financial support from family and friends, borrowing money and obtaining discounts from the hospital administration and staff. Conclusion No health insurance ownership, being unemployed or retired and a low socioeconomic status are associated with financial hardship after CT utilization. Diverse coping strategies are utilized to lessen the financial burden, some with negative consequences. Minimizing out-of-pocket payments and/or the direct cost of CT can reduce this financial burden and improve CT access.

scholarly journals Age-and cause-specific contributions to the life expectancy gap between Medical Aid recipients and National Health Insurance beneficiaries in Korea, 2008-2017

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinwook Bahk ◽  
Hee-Yeon Kang ◽  
Young-Ho Khang
Keyword(s):  
Health Insurance ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
National Health Insurance ◽  
National Health ◽  
Cardiometabolic Risk ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Medical Aid ◽  
Registration Data ◽  
Total Life Expectancy

Abstract Background Recipients of Medical Aid, a government-funded social assistance program for the poor, have a shorter life expectancy than National Health Insurance beneficiaries in Korea. This study aims to explore the contributions of age and major causes of death to the life expectancy difference between the two groups.Methods We used the National Health Information Database provided by the National Health Insurance Service individually linked to mortality registration data of Statistics Korea between 2008 and 2017. Annual abridged life tables were constructed and Arriaga’s life expectancy decomposition method was employed to estimate age- and cause-specific contributions to the life expectancy gap between National Health Insurance beneficiaries and Medical Aid recipients.Results The life expectancy difference between National Health Insurance beneficiaries and Medical Aid recipients was 14.5 years during the period of 2008-2017. The age groups between 30 and 64 years accounted for 78.7% and 67.5% of the total life expectancy gap in men and women, respectively. Cancer was the leading cause of death contributing to excess mortality among Medical Aid recipients compared to National Health Insurance beneficiaries. More specifically, alcohol-attributable deaths (such as alcoholic liver disease, liver cancer, liver cirrhosis, and alcohol/substance abuse), suicide, and cardiometabolic risk factor–related deaths (such as cerebrovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, and diabetes) were the leading contributors to the life expectancy gap.Conclusions To decrease excess deaths in Medical Aid recipients and reduce health inequalities, effective policies for tobacco and alcohol regulation, suicide prevention, and interventions to address cardiometabolic risk factors are needed.

scholarly journals Comparison of Out-of-pocket Expenditure and Catastrophic Health Expenditure for Severe Disease by the Health Security System: Based on End-stage Renal Disease in South Korea

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sun Mi Shin ◽  
Hee Woo Lee
Keyword(s):  
Health Insurance ◽  
Renal Disease ◽  
National Health Insurance ◽  
National Health ◽  
End Stage Renal Disease ◽  
Security System ◽  
Health Security ◽  
Medical Aid ◽  
Stage Renal Disease ◽  
End Stage

Abstract Background: Korea's health security system named the National Health Insurance and Medical Aid has revolutionized the nation's mandatory health insurance and continues to reduce excessive copayments. However, few studies have examined healthcare utilization and expenditure by the health security system for severe diseases. This study looked at reverse discrimination regarding end-stage renal disease by the National Health Insurance and Medical Aid.Methods: A total of 305 subjects were diagnosed with end-stage renal disease in the Korea Health Panel from 2008 to 2013. Chi-square, t-test, and ANCOVA were conducted to identify the healthcare utilization rate, out-of-pocket expenditure, and the prevalence of catastrophic expenditure. Mixed effect panel analysis was used to evaluate total out-of-pocket expenditure by the National Health Insurance and Medical Aid over a 6-year period.Results: There were no significant differences in the healthcare utilization rate for emergency room visits, admissions, or outpatient department visits between the National Health Insurance and Medical Aid because these healthcare services were essential for individuals with serious diseases, such as end-stage renal disease. Meanwhile, each out-of-pocket expenditure for an admission and the outpatient department by the National Health Insurance was 2.6 and 3.1 times higher than that of Medical Aid (P<0.05). The total out-of-pocket expenditure, including that for emergency room visits, admission, outpatient department visits, and prescribed drugs, was 2.9 times higher for the National Health Insurance than Medical Aid (P<0.001). Over a 6-year period, in terms of total of out-of-pocket expenditure, subjects with the National Health Insurance spent more than those with Medical Aid (P<0.01). If the total household income decile was less than the median and subjects were covered by the National Health Insurance, the catastrophic health expenditure rate was 92.2%, but it was only 58.8% for Medical Aid (P<0.001).Conclusion: Individuals with serious diseases, such as end-stage renal disease, can be faced with reverse discrimination depending on the type of insurance that is provided by the health security system. It is necessary to consider individuals who have National Health Insurance but are still poor.

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