Frequency of out-of-pocket payment for healthcare: Age and sex differences

Abstract

Out-of-pocket payments for health care as one of the ways of health care financing is present in numerous countries and can lead to a financial burden of healthcare. This could lead to restrictions on other necessary goods and lower the expected standard of living. The frequency of out-of-pocket payments is often associated with gender and age. Biological and socio-economic differences between the genders and differences that arise in the aging process can influence the more frequent occurrence of financial burdens due to out-of-pocket payments. There is a difference between men and women aged 65 and over in the prevalence of chronic and malignant diseases, differences in the use of health care, self-assessment of health, poverty, financial independence, and the type of household. All mentioned can lead to a different frequency of out-of-pocket payments and the financial burden of health care.

Keywords

• out-of-pocket payments
• financial burden
• healthcare
• women
• men
• 65 and more years old