Increased cost sharing and changes in noncompliance with specialty referrals in The Netherlands. Issue 2 (February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: van Esch, Thamar E.M.; Brabers, Anne E.M.; van Dijk, Christel E.; Gusdorf, Lisette; Groenewegen, Peter P.; de Jong, Judith D.
• Is Part Of: Health policy. Volume 121:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 180
• Page End: 188
• Publication Date: 2017-02
• Subjects: Primary health care -- Cost sharing -- Referral and consultation -- Patient compliance -- Netherlands -- Longitudinal studies; Medical education -- Periodicals; Medical policy -- Periodicals; Delivery of Health Care -- Periodicals; Education, Medical -- Periodicals; Health Education -- Periodicals; Health Planning -- Periodicals; Public Policy -- Periodicals; Enseignement médical -- Périodiques; Politique sanitaire -- Périodiques; Medical education; Medical policy; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Electronic journals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2016.12.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0168-8510

Abstract

Highlights: Noncompliance increased during the rise of cost sharing. Noncompliance increased most in children and patients with chronic diseases. No one-to-one relationship between increased cost sharing and noncompliance is found. Abstract: Introduction: The compulsory deductible, a form of patient cost-sharing in the Netherlands, has more than doubled during the past years. There are indications that as a result, refraining from medical care has increased. We studied the relation between patient cost-sharing and refraining from medical care by evaluating noncompliance with referrals to medical specialists over several years. Methods: Noncompliance with specialty referrals was assessed in the Netherlands from 2008 until 2013, using routinely recorded referrals from general practitioners to medical specialists and claims from medical specialists to health insurers. Associations with patient characteristics were estimated using multilevel logistic regression analyses. Results: Noncompliance rates were approximately stable from 2008 to 2010 and increased from 18% in 2010 to 27% in 2013. Noncompliance was highest in adults aged 25–39 years. The increase was highest in children and patients with chronic diseases. No significantly higher increase among patients from urban deprived areas was found. Discussion/conclusion: Noncompliance increased during the rise of the compulsory deductible. Our results do not suggest a one-to-one relationship between increased patient cost-sharing and noncompliance with specialty referrals. In order to develop effective policy for reducing noncompliance, it is advisable to focus on the mechanisms for noncompliance in the groups with the highest noncompliance rates (young adults) and with the highest increase in noncompliance (children and patients with chronic diseases).