Abstract
Objective: Gaining more insight into any differences in care expenses between minimum and higher income groups.
Design: Cross-sectional study among 6,709 citizens of Amsterdam aged 19 years and over.
Method: Data on declared health care expenses from 2012 were linked to personal income and to public health survey data. Through weighted logistic regression analysis, differences in expenses for primary care, hospital care, mental health care and other care were compared for minimum and higher income groups, controlling for demographic characteristics, educational level and health status.
Results: Minimum income groups claimed more often for mental health care costs (11%) than higher income groups (7%). However, after controlling for demographic characteristics, educational level and health status this difference was not significant. Further, minimum income groups claimed fewer expenses for hospital care, but this difference was not significant. The number of claims for other care did not differ. The size of the expenses differed between income groups. Expenses for primary care among minimum income groups were lower versus those for higher earners. Expenses for hospital care, mental health care and other care were higher, but not to a statistically significant level.
Conclusion: Minimum income groups claim lower costs for primary care. On the other hand, the number of claims for mental health care, hospital care and other care is equal or higher than that of higher income citizens, as is the size of the claimed expenses.