Impacts of the Medical Arms Race on Medical Expenses

Author(s)

Paicheng Liu, Xue Gong, Qianhui Yao, Qiong Liu

Abstract

Background: Has the medical arms race (MAR) increased healthcare expenditures? Existing literature has yet to draw a consistent conclusion. Hence, this study aims to reexamine the relationship between the MAR and medical expenses by the data from public hospitals in Shenzhen, China, during the period of 2009 to 2013. Methods: This study’s data were collected through panel datasets spanning 2009 to 2013 from the Shenzhen Statistical Yearbook, Shenzhen Health Statistical Yearbook, and annual reports from the Shenzhen Municipal Health Commission. The Herfindahl–Hirschman index and hierarchical linear modeling were combined for empirical analysis. Results: The MAR’s impact on medical examination fees differed during the inpatient and outpatient stages. Further analysis verified that the MAR had the most significant impact on outpatient examination fees. Due to the characteristics of China’s medical system, government regulations in the healthcare market may consequently accelerate the MAR among public hospitals. Strict government regulations on the medical system have also promoted increased medical examination costs to some extent. Once medical service prices are under strict administrative control, only drug and medical examination fees are the primary forms of extra income for hospitals. After the proportion of drug fees is further regulated, medical examinations will then become another staple method to generate extra revenue. These have distorted Chinese public hospitals’ medical fees, which completely differ from those in other countries. Conclusion: The government should confirm that they have allocated sufficient financial investments for public hospitals; otherwise, the competition among hospitals will transfer the burden to patients, and especially to those who can afford to pay for care. A core task for public hospitals involves providing safer, less expensive, and more reliable medical services.

Organisation(s)

Department of East Asian Studies

External organisation(s)

Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Guangxi Normal University

Journal

Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation

Volume

20

ISSN

1478-7547

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12962-022-00407-7

Publication date

12-2022

Peer reviewed

Yes

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

303011 Health policy

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Health Policy

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being

Portal url

https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/288bc8ab-88ac-4572-a74f-22c6cef73baf