Healthcare use among persons with visual impairment: Difference-in-difference estimations

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Ophthalmology
• Public Health

Background:

• Healthcare utilization studies are essential for understanding global health disparities.
• Visual impairment significantly impacts healthcare service use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effect of visual impairment on healthcare service utilization.
• To analyze healthcare expenditure trends in individuals with visual impairments.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study using National Health Insurance System (NHIS) claims data (2002-2013).
• Involved 2,206 individuals with visual impairments and 8,824 controls.
• Difference-in-difference regression analysis was applied to estimate healthcare expenditures.

Main Results:

• Visual impairment correlated with a 5.7% increase in total monthly healthcare expenditures and a 6.8% increase in outpatient expenditures.
• Expenditures rose significantly in the year prior to impairment onset (32% total, 21% outpatient).
• Inpatient expenditures also increased prior to impairment, decreasing in subsequent years.

Conclusions:

• Visual impairment leads to increased healthcare costs.
• Proactive health management and timely care are vital, particularly in the period leading up to vision loss.