Health Reform, Health Insurance, and Selection: Estimating Selection into Health Insurance Using the Massachusetts Health Reform

Martin Hackmann, Jonathan Kolstad and Amanda Kowalski

No 17748, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: We implement an empirical test for selection into health insurance using changes in coverage induced by the introduction of mandated health insurance in Massachusetts. Our test examines changes in the cost of the newly insured relative to those who were insured prior to the reform. We find that counties with larger increases in insurance coverage over the reform period face the smallest increase in average hospital costs for the insured population, consistent with adverse selection into insurance before the reform. Additional results, incorporating cross-state variation and data on health measures, provide further evidence for adverse selection.

JEL-codes: H51 I18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ias
Note: AG EH PE
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (23)

Published as Martin B. Hackmann & Jonathan T. Kolstad & Amanda E. Kowalski, 2012. "Health Reform, Health Insurance, and Selection: Estimating Selection into Health Insurance Using the Massachusetts Health Reform," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 102(3), pages 498-501, May.

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Journal Article: Health Reform, Health Insurance, and Selection: Estimating Selection into Health Insurance Using the Massachusetts Health Reform (2012)
Working Paper: Health Reform, Health Insurance, and Selection: Estimating Selection into Health Insurance Using the Massachusetts Health Reform (2012)
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