Modeling the relationship between health and health care expenditures using a latent Markov model

B. Wouterse, M. Huisman, B.R. Meijboom, D.J.H. Deeg, J.J. Polder

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

We investigate the dynamic relationship between several dimensions of health and health care expenditures for older individuals. Health data from the Longitudinal Aging Survey Amsterdam is combined with data on hospital and long term care use. We estimate a latent variable based jointly on observed health indicators and expenditures. Annual transition probabilities between states of the latent variable are estimated using a Markov model. States associated with good current health and low annual health care expenditures are not associated with lower cumulative health care expenditures over remaining lifetime. We conclude that, although the direct health care cost saving effect is limited, the considerable gain in healthy lifeyears can make investing in the improvement of health of the older population worthwhile. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)423-439
JournalJournal of Health Economics
Volume32
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Modeling the relationship between health and health care expenditures using a latent Markov model'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this