Out of pocket expenditure on health during the last year of life of mexican elderly: Analysis of the Enasem

Abstract

Objective. To estimate the out-of-pocket expenses (OOPE) during the last year of life in Mexican older adults (OA). Materials and methods. Estimation of the OOPE corresponding to the last year of life of OA, adjusting by type of management, affiliation and cause of death. Data from the National Health and Aging Study in Mexico (2012) were used. To calculate the total OOPE, the expenses in the last year were used in: medications, medical consultations and hospitalization. The OOPE was adjusted for inflation and is reported in US dollars 2018. Results. The mean OOPE was $6 255.3±18 500. In the ambulatory care group, the OOPE was $4 134.9±13 631.3. The OOPE in hospitalization was $7 050.6±19 971.0. Conclusions. The probability of incurre in OOPE is lower when hospitalization is not required. With hospitalization, affiliation to social security and attending to public hospitals plays a protective role.