ASSESSING HEALTH INSURANCE IN TURKEY DURING COVID-19: A GRANGER CAUSALITY TEST

Özet

During pandemic periods, the need for individuals to access health services and have regular health checks increases, which reveals the importance of being covered by any health insurance. The state provides general health insurance, which provides access to basic health services and covers a large population. Private health insurance, on the other hand, offers a more personalised and comprehensive type of coverage and provides faster, higher quality and more comprehensive health services, although it requires additional premium payments. In this context, the aim of this study is to determine the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on the private health insurance sector in Turkey before and after the pandemic period. Specifically, the study aims to explain how the COVID-19 pandemic affects the demand for health insurance. Through Granger causality analysis, the study will investigate the relationship between the number of insured individuals, market share, dummy variable for pre- and post-COVID-19 periods, and the growth rate of the insurance sector for private health insurance from January 2015 to October 2023. The analysis reveals that there is a bidirectional causal relationship between the variables indicating a reciprocal influence.

Abstract

During pandemic periods, the need for individuals to access health services and have regular health checks increases, which reveals the importance of being covered by any health insurance. The state provides general health insurance, which provides access to basic health services and covers a large population. Private health insurance, on the other hand, offers a more personalised and comprehensive type of coverage and provides faster, higher quality and more comprehensive health services, although it requires additional premium payments. In this context, the aim of this study is to determine the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on the private health insurance sector in Turkey before and after the pandemic period. Specifically, the study aims to explain how the COVID-19 pandemic affects the demand for health insurance. Through Granger causality analysis, the study will investigate the relationship between the number of insured individuals, market share, dummy variable for pre- and post-COVID-19 periods, and the growth rate of the insurance sector for private health insurance from January 2015 to October 2023. The analysis reveals that there is a bidirectional causal relationship between the variables indicating a reciprocal influence.

Yazarlar

İskender DEMİRBİLEK, Sena ŞAHİN, Ufuk ALKAN

Anahtar Kelimeler

COVID-19, Insurance, Health Insurance, Granger Causality, Turkey

JEL Codes

G22, I13, G23, D81

Yayın Bilgileri

Cilt 4, Sayı 2, 2024 · Sayfa 1-14

DOI: 10.52898/ijif.2024.6

Dosyalar