The determinants of out-of-pocket payments: evidence from selected hospitals in Ankara, Turkey

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore the determinants of the out-of-pocket expenditures on health in selected hospitals of the capital city Ankara, Turkey. Maximum likelihood logistic analysis is used to estimate the relationship between the likelihood of incurring out-of-pocket payments and a set of individual- and facility-level covariates, such as income, education level and wealth of the patient. Empirical findings indicate that as the level of education, age and income increase the likelihood of making out-of-payment expenditures on health increases. Additionally, the attitudes of patients towards the health-care system and their possible impacts on the decision of out-of-pocket payments have also been considered. The distrust in the public health-care system is reflected in patients' choices regarding the first applied medical centre. It appears that patients with high levels of income prefer private health-care rather than the public health-care services.

Notes

¹Additionally, health-care entitlements known as green cards are issued to Turkish citizens who cannot pay for health services.

² However, one has to be cautious with the data because these reports are all based on data collected from private providers and they may not be reliable.