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BMC Health Services Research
Published in: BMC Health Services Research 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Research article

Medical expenditure for middle-aged and elderly in Beijing

Authors: Chenjin Ma, Yan Jiang, Yang Li, Yuming Zhang, Xiaojun Wang, Shuangge Ma, Yu Wang

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

Background

High medical expenditures serve as a major obstacle for many people trying to access healthcare. Our goals are to provide an updated and comprehensive description of each category of medical expenditure in inpatient and outpatient treatment, and to identify factors associated with medical expenditures.

Methods

A survey of the middle-aged and elderly was conducted in August 2016 in Beijing, China. Data were collected from 808 random samples. Each participant had reported at least one inpatient or outpatient treatment episode and was 45 years old or older, were collected. Chi-squared tests, t-tests, multivariate analysis, and a linear regression were conducted in the data analysis.

Results

A total of 452 and 734 subjects had at least one inpatient and outpatient treatment, respectively. Even though insurance covered a significant amount of the total cost, the remaining out-of-pocket cost was still high, possibly resulting in financial difficulties for a number of the subjects. Demographic and socioeconomic factors were found to be associated with various costs.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the government may need to further adjust health care and health insurance systems to alleviate financial burdens caused by illness and improve the effective utilization of healthcare services.
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Metadata
Title
Medical expenditure for middle-aged and elderly in Beijing
Authors
Chenjin Ma
Yan Jiang
Yang Li
Yuming Zhang
Xiaojun Wang
Shuangge Ma
Yu Wang
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4190-2

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