D4 Published development or research report or study
Improving Performance Through Allocation and Competition: Evidence from a Patient Choice Reform
Authors: Kortelainen Mika, Laine Liisa, Lavaste Konsta, Saxell Tanja, Siciliani Luigi
Publisher: Valtion taloudellinen tutkimuskeskus
Publication year: 2023
Series title: VATT Working Papers
Number in series: 156
Web address : https://vatt.fi/en/publication?pubid=URN%3ANBN%3Afi-fe20231003138612
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/381070409
We study the allocative effects of enhancing consumer choice and non-price competition in markets with heterogeneous producers. We use comprehensive administrative data and a difference-in-differences design based on the introduction of a regional patient choice reform for planned surgeries in Finland. We find that large teaching hospitals attracted more patients and concentration increased in their markets. Waiting times decreased in hospitals exposed to the reform and more patients were treated, with little effect on clinical quality or average surgical expenditure after the reform. Our results suggest that increased choice can reallocate patients towards large producers and improve public hospital performance.
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