The effect of retirement on healthcare utilization: Evidence from China

Yi Zhang, Martin Salm and Arthur van Soest ()

Journal of Health Economics, 2018, vol. 62, issue C, 165-177

Abstract: We examine the effect of retirement on healthcare utilization in China using longitudinal data. We use a nonparametric fuzzy regression discontinuity design, exploiting the statutory retirement age in urban China as a source of exogenous variation in retirement. In contrast to previous results for developed countries, we find that in China retirement increases healthcare utilization. This increase can be attributed to deteriorating health and in particular to the reduced opportunity cost of time after retirement. For the sample as a whole, income is not a dominating mechanism. People with low education, however, are more likely to forego recommended inpatient care after retirement.

Keywords: Retirement; Healthcare utilization; Fuzzy regression discontinuity design; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I10 J14 J26 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (43)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jhecon:v:62:y:2018:i:c:p:165-177

DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2018.09.009

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