The Impact of Multimorbidity on Healthcare Utilization and Expenditure: Evidence from China

Abstract

Objective To investigate the impact of multimorbidity on China’s healthcare utilization and expenditure. Methods A two-part model was used to analyze the outpatient cares based on the data from CHARLS 2015 wave. Results and Conclusion As the prevalence of multimorbidity was 36.6% among 15 523 middle-aged and elderly respondents in China, the multimorbidity increased the likelihood of outpatient service, while the total outpatient expenditure did not increase significantly as well as the OOP expenditure. Secondly, although there was a similar probability of outpatient visit, the patients with multimorbidity excluding diabetes and (or) hypertension, had not been concerned by China’s Chronic Condition Management Programs (CCCMP) yet. Thirdly, the patients with multimorbidity increased the outpatient visits to different types of hospitals. Under CCCMP intervention, the patients did not switch from the county/city hospital to primary healthcare centers and township hospital. A costeffective strategy for providing services to patients with multimorbid conditions is needed, the focus of CCCMP should be switched from the single chronic disease to the multimorbidity.

Keywords

multimorbidity / healthcare utilization and expenditure / two-part model / China

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