Factors Affecting Medical Expenditure in Older Adults With and Without Disabilities: Results from the 2015 Korea Health Panel

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the factors affecting medical expenditure in older adults with and without disabilities.

Methods/Statistical analysis: Present study used raw data from the 2015 Korea Health Panel. we analyzed the general characteristics, information on chronic disease, taking drug medicine, medical use, and medical expenditure of 4,044 elderly people. Statistical analysis was performed using stepwise multiple regression analysis.

Findings: The factors affecting the medical expenditure of elderly people with disabilities were hospitalization use, hospital outpatient use, family income, and education level (R² =.223, p<.05). The factors affecting the medical expenditure of elderly people without disabilities were hospitalization use, emergency use, age, hospital outpatient use, and family income (R²=.246, p<.05).

Improvements/Applications: The results of this study found differences in the medical expenditures of elderly people with and without disabilities.