Gender Difference, Age Trajectories and Future Trends of IPD & OPD Cost Among Civil Servant Medical Benefit Scheme

Abstract

The objectives of this research are (1) to investigate the relationship between gender difference, age trajectories, and average medical cost per person and per session under civil servant health benefit scheme which covers themselves, their parents, spouse, and children (2) to estimate the trends of the average medical cost per person and per session in the future (2018-2024) for each group by using curve fitting method. Model for each group classified by gender using age and year as independent variables have been built. This study found that medical costs increase with age; and medical costs for male are higher than female. However, medical costs for female with age over 80 years are higher than male with the same age range. For each year, such medical costs increase under similar medical inflation rate. The fitted curve equation shows that the average medical cost per person and per session increase every year, especially for government officers is higher than their parents, spouse, and children. This research can be used for actuarial valuation of the medical cost under civil servant health benefit scheme in the future in order to allocate budgets appropriately or formulate proper public policy in afterwards.