Adverse Selection and an Individual Mandate: When Theory Meets Practice

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2015
Volume: 105
Issue: 3
Pages: 1030-66

Score contribution per author:

2.681 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

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

Abstract

We develop a model of selection that incorporates a key element of recent health reforms: an individual mandate. Using data from Massachusetts, we estimate the parameters of the model. In the individual market for health insurance, we find that premiums and average costs decreased significantly in response to the individual mandate. We find an annual welfare gain of 4.1 percent per person or $51.1 million annually in Massachusetts as a result of the reduction in adverse selection. We also find smaller post-reform markups. (JEL D82, G22, H75, I13)

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:105:y:2015:i:3:p:1030-66
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25