Health Economics Seminars (EUR)

Speaker(s)
Joseph Newhouse (Harvard University, United States)
Date
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Location
Rotterdam

In the US there are several models of insurer competition. Three major models will be discussed: (1) Medicare Advantage for the over 65 and disabled; (2) ‘Exchanges’ or ‘marketplaces’ for the under 65 (Obamacare); (3) Health plan choice within an employer setting. By comparing the three models three important questions for the regulator will be addressed: (1) How to provide appropriate incentives for purchasing individual insurance? (2) How to combat selection? (3) Are supply-side quality incentives useful (e.g. financial incentives for higher quality plans or penalties for lower quality plans)? Evidence will be discussed about the take-up of insurance, about the extent of risk selection and the impact of risk-adjustment, and about the effect of supply-side quality incentives.