Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Analysis of out-of-pocket costs associated with hospitalised injuries in Vietnam.

BMJ Global Health 2017 January
BACKGROUND: In Vietnam, over 39 000 people die and millions are hospitalised due to injuries every year. Injuries create a significant financial burden for families. In this study, we estimated out-of-pocket payment for medical care of injuries and the role of health insurance in containing such costs.

METHOD: A prospective cohort study of 892 hospitalised injury patients admitted to a provincial general hospital in 2010 in Vietnam was conducted. Data on demographic, injury characteristics and costs by specific categories paid out-of-pocket by patients were included in the analyses. Generalised linear models with log link and γ distribution were employed to examine the associations between insurance status and total costs.

RESULTS: The average total medical care costs paid out-of-pocket by patients during hospitalisation were over US$ 270. Major drivers of the costs related to surgery (nearly 25%), diagnostic test/examination (24%) and drugs (23%). Burns incurred the highest total costs during hospitalisation ($321) and assault incurred the lowest ($167). Total costs were higher for more severe injuries and those that required a more complex surgery. Patients using health insurance paid less those who did not. However, there were no statistically significant associations between health insurance and total costs, costs for surgery, diagnostic tests/examinations or drugs.

CONCLUSIONS: The study provides estimates and distribution of medical care costs for injuries in hospital. In addition to ongoing efforts in prevention, the study provides further evidence on the limited benefits of health insurance in protecting patients and their family from the high costs of hospitalisation in Vietnam.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

Related Resources

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app