Relating Patient Satisfaction to Insurance Coverage: A Comparison of Market Based and Government Sponsored Health Care

Abstract

It is generally accepted that satisfaction with health care is multidimensional and includes many factors removed from the direct delivery of medical services. The analysis seeks to determine if patient satisfaction with health care varies by type of insurance coverage held and whether overall satisfaction is higher within market based health care systems as found in the United States. Using the National Center for Health Statistic’s Joint Canadian United States Survey of Health, 8700 participants (61% American 39% Canadian) made available self-reported information on their health care utilization and health status.

Comparison are made between MEDICARE, MEDICAID, employer based insurance, and the National Health Insurance of Canada. The results indicate that there is significant variation with satisfaction depending on type of insurance. When compared to the national Canadian system, American patients with employer based insurance report higher levels of satisfaction.

JEL Classification: H51, I11, I18