Publications
Publications
- 2021
- HBS Working Paper Series
The Impact of Financial Assistance Programs on Health Care Utilization
By: Alyce S. Adams, Raymond Kluender, Neale Mahoney, Jinglin Wang, Francis Wong and Wesley Yin
Abstract
Most hospitals and managed care organizations have financial assistance programs that aim to reduce financial burdens and improve health care access for low-income patients. We use administrative data from Kaiser Permanente to study the effects of financial assistance on health care utilization. Using a regression discontinuity design based on an income threshold for program eligibility, we find that financial assistance significantly increases health care utilization initially, though effects dissipate three quarters after program receipt. Financial assistance also increases the detection of and medication refills for treatment-sensitive conditions, suggesting financial assistance may increase receipt of high-value care.
Keywords
Healthcare; Utilization; Financial Assistance; Health Care and Treatment; Finance; Programs; Outcome or Result
Citation
Adams, Alyce S., Raymond Kluender, Neale Mahoney, Jinglin Wang, Francis Wong, and Wesley Yin. "The Impact of Financial Assistance Programs on Health Care Utilization." Harvard Business School Working Paper, No. 22-045, September 2021. (NBER Working Paper Series, No. 29227, September 2021.)