Impact of the New Cooperative Medical Scheme on Health Care Service Utilization in Rural China

摘要

Using the 2000, 2004, and 2006 CHNS longitudinal survey data and econometric methods (random-effect probit regression model and DID methods), this study conducted an empirical analysis to estimate the impact of NCMS. The major conclusions are as follows. First, predisposing factors, enabling factors, health care need factors, and lifestyle factors affect health care utilization. Second, results using DID methods indicate that NCMS did not affect health care service utilization (outpatient and inpatient) of individuals when ill, but it might increase the possibility of getting a health examination. Third, there is no difference in health care service utilization (both outpatient and inpatient) between the NCMS enrollment group and the non-enrollment group in both working age group (15~59) and the elderly group (60 and over). Therefore, it can be said that NCMS did not affect the health care utilization in both the group. However, NCMS positively affects disease prevention behavior (visiting the hospital to receive a health examination) in the working age group, but the effect did not appear in the elderly group.