The Impacts of the Hierarchical Medical System on National Health Insurance on the Resident’s Health Seeking Behavior in Taiwan: A Case Study on the Policy to Reduce Hospital Visits

Yu-Hua Yan, Chih-Ming Kung and Horng-Ming Yeh
Additional contact information
Yu-Hua Yan: Department of Medical Research, Tainan Municipal Hospital (Managed by Show Chwan Medical Care Corporation), No. 670, Chung Te Road, Tainan City 701, Taiwan
Chih-Ming Kung: Department of Information Technology and Communication, Shih Chien University Kaohsiung Campus, No. 200 University Road Neimen, Kaohsiung 84550, Taiwan
Horng-Ming Yeh: Department of Internal Medicine, Tainan Municipal Hospital (Managed by Show Chwan Medical Care Corporation), No. 670, Chung Te Road, Tainan City 701, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 17, 1-10

Abstract: Objective : This study investigated the impacts of the hierarchical medical system under the national health insurance program on residents’ healthcare-seeking behavior in Taiwan. Background : Healthcare authorities in Taiwan initiated an allowance reduction for outpatient visits at regional hospitals and higher hierarchical hospitals in 2018. The ultimate goal is to implement a hierarchical medical system to provide residents accessible as well as consistent medical services. Methods : This research was conducted through a questionnaire survey, and data were collected between August and December 2018 from the records of subjects who had recently sought medical attention. A total of 1340 valid questionnaires were returned. Results : A principal finding was that there were significant differences in the knowledge of new policies by age, marital status, annual income, education level, and occupation ( p < 0.001). Regarding the effects on healthcare-seeking behavior, there were significant differences from persons aged 40–49 years ( p < 0.1), in junior high school ( p < 0.05), not aware of the policy ( p < 0.001), and awareness of both the hierarchical medical system and the policy to reduce outpatient visits to large hospitals ( p < 0.001). Conclusion : The health administration authorities should devote more effort into promoting knowledge of the policy in order to better inform the public about the hierarchical medical system.

Keywords: hierarchical medical system; national health insurance; healthcare-seeking behavior; reduction in hospital visits (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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