Demand and Selection Effects in Supplemental Health Insurance in Germany

Renate Lange, Jörg Schiller () and Petra Steinorth
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Renate Lange: University of Hohenheim
Jörg Schiller: University of Hohenheim
Petra Steinorth: St. John’s University

The Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance - Issues and Practice, 2017, vol. 42, issue 1, No 2, 5-30

Abstract: Abstract This paper empirically assesses selection effects and determinants of the demand for supplemental health insurance that covers hospital and dental benefits in Germany. Our representative data set provides doctor-diagnosed indicators of the individual’s health status, risk attitude, demand for medical services and insurance purchases in other lines of insurance, as well as rich demographic and socio-economic information. Controlling for a wide range of individual preferences, we find evidence that individuals aged 65 and younger with hospital coverage are sicker than those without. In addition, insurance propensity and income are the most important drivers of the demand for supplemental hospital and dental coverage.

Keywords: supplemental health insurance; asymmetric information; one-sided commitment; insurance demand; German statutory health insurance; insurance propensity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D82 G22 I11 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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DOI: 10.1057/s41288-016-0023-2

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