Author:
Heiss, Florian (University of Düsseldorf)
McFadden, Daniel (University of California, Berkeley)
Winter, Joachim (LMU Munich)
Wuppermann, Amelie (University of Halle-Wittenberg)
Zhou, Bo (University of Southern California, Los Angeles)
Abstract:
Consumers’ health plan choices are highly persistent even though optimal plans change over time. This paper separates two sources of inertia, inattention to plan choice and switching costs. We develop a panel data model with separate attention and choice stages, linked by heterogeneity in acuity, i.e., the ability and willingness to make diligent choices. Using data from Medicare Part D, we find that inattention is an important source of inertia but switching costs also play a role, particularly for low-acuity individuals. Separating the two stages and allowing for heterogeneity is crucial for counterfactual simulations of interventions that reduce inertia.
Keywords:
medicare; prescription drugs; health insurance demand; dynamic discrete choice
JEL-Classification:
I13; D12; J14; C25