• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.203-209
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to analysis of influence between of private health insurance and length of stay with cervical and lumbar simple sprain patients at Ubiquitous medical environment. They were diagnosed as having sprain of cervical and lumbar spine without neurological symptoms in hospitals and clinics from July 1, 2010 to February 29, 2012. This study was t-test, ANOVA and multiple regression analysis. The results were when the number of private health insurance was input as an independent variable, the subjects had one or two accidental insurances(${\beta}$=2.731, P=0.013), length of stay in beds was longer than they had no accidental insurance and when they had more than three ones(${\beta}$=4.991, P=0.000), length of stay was significantly longer. This study has a meaning in that it is domestic practical study which identified relationships between entry of private health insurance and length of stay.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.84-95
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• 2012

Background: In Korea, private health insurance has neglected to induce externality on national health insurance by moral hazard. Therefore, we conducted this study in order to explore the influence of private health insurance on unnecessary medical utilization among patients with cervical or lumbar sprain. Method: The study examined a population of 449 patients (admission, 384; out-patient; 85) diagnosed with simple cervical or lumbar sprain without neurological symptoms at 20 small hospitals or clinics in Gwangju and Jeollanam provinces from Jul. 1 to Aug. 31 2008. The data were collected using structured, self-administrated questionnaire which collected information such as whether or not the patient was admitted (as a dependent variable), whether or not they had private health insurance (as a independent variable), and covariates such as socio-demographic characteristics, the factors related to the sprain, and characteristics of the insurance provider. Results: From hierarchical multiple logistic regression analysis, it was found that the admission rate of patient with private health insurance was higher than that those without it (Odds ratio=3.31, 95% Confidence interval; 1.14-9.58), meaning that private health insurance was an independent factor influencing the admission of patients with these conditions. Other determinants of admission were patient age and physician referral. Conclusions: This study is the first empirical study to explore the influence of private health insurance on inducing moral hazard in admission services, specifically among patients with cervical or lumbar sprain. Regulation of benefits provided by private health insurance may be necessary, as the effect of this moral hazard may mean existence of externality.