No-claim refunds and healthcare use

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Public Economics
Year: 2024
Volume: 230
Issue: C

Authors (4)

Avdic, Daniel (Deakin University) Decker, Simon (not in RePEc) Karlsson, Martin (Universität Duisburg-Essen) Salm, Martin (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 4 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

No-claim refunds are cost-control instruments which stipulate a payback agreement contingent on one or more claim-free years. We study how such no-claim refunds affect claiming behavior using claims data from a large German health insurer and a policy that increased the refund size for certain plans. We propose a method to decompose the effect on claims into behavioral and non-behavioral components, and show that individuals responded to the refund policy by reducing claims by eight percent on average. The effect persisted for several years; behavioral responses were stronger for clients with more to gain from the policy; and reductions in claims were not restricted to treatments of questionable medical value.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:pubeco:v:230:y:2024:i:c:s0047272723002438
Journal Field
Public
Author Count
4
Added to Database
2026-01-24