Health Care Expenditures and Utilization Among Older Mexican Adults.

OBJECTIVES: Examine differences in health care utilization and out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditures among older Mexican adults in 2001 and 2012, and identify individual characteristics associated with utilization and expenditures in both years.

METHOD: Data from the 2001 and 2012 cross-sections of the Mexican Health and Aging Study were utilized. Outcomes included nights spent in the hospital, medical/outpatient procedures, and OOP expenditures with these services. Covariates included demographics and comorbidities. Two-part regression models were used to identify covariates associated with utilization and expenditures in each year.

RESULTS: The proportion of those who spent at least one night in the hospital or had at least one medical/outpatient visit was higher in 2012 than in 2001, while the proportion of individuals with OOP expenditures decreased between the years. Those with more comorbidities had the highest OOP expenditures in both years.

DISCUSSION: Although the population paying for health care services OOP was lower in 2012, there is persistent inequality in expenditures across population groups.