Monetary valuation of one year in full capability and health based on demographics, health status, income and well-being.

BACKGROUND: Budget constraints in health care systems have led to the popularity of Cost Effectiveness Thresholds (CET) to achieve efficient allocation of resources. The capability approach has been hailed for its potentially richer evaluative capabilities compared to the QALY in terms of thresholds. Extensive research, however, is still limited.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This study estimated the monetary value of a year in full capability (YFC) and compared it to monetary value of a QALY for the Hungarian population. Data was collected from a large, cross sectional, representative online survey on the adult Hungarian population. Applying the wellbeing valuation method, health, capability, and income were then regressed against wellbeing to estimate 'shadow prices' for one QALY and YFC controlling for gender, age, employment, education, marital and social support. To examine 'core' regression coefficients, a robustness check was conducted.

RESULTS: Health (VAS) and capability (ICECAP-A) had a positive and significant effect on Subjective Well-Being. The monetary values of one QALY and one YFC were 39 459 EUR and 58 148 EUR respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: These tools provide a systematic approach to determining 'compensating income' for certain illnesses, disabilities and levels of pain. The capability approach shown to be broader than the QALY.