[Out-of-pocket health care expenditures among population groups in Iceland]

Out-of-pocket health expenditures affect access to health care. The study investigated trends in these expenditures, and whether certain population groups spent more than others.

The data come from two national health surveys among Icelandic adults from 1998 and 2006. The response rate was 69% in the former survey (N=1924), and 60% in the latter (N= 1532). Average household health expenditures and household expenditure burden (expenditures as % of total household income) were compared over time and between groups.

Household health expenditures increased by 29% in real terms between 1998 and 2006. The biggest items in 2006 were drugs and dental care. Women, younger and older individuals, the single and divorced, smaller households, the unemployed and non-employed, individuals with low education and income, the chronically ill, and the disabled, had the highest household expenditure burden. Comparison between 1998 and 2006 indicated increased expenditure burden among young people, students, the unemployed, and the least educated, but decreased burden among the elderly, the widowed, and parents of young children.

Household health expenditures differ substantially between groups, suggesting reconsideration of current health insurance policies, especially with regard to disabled, non-employed, low-income, and young individuals.