Preference for private healthcare higher in rural Kozhikode, says study
‘Out-of-pocket expenditure remains considerable among insured and uninsured households’
A recent study in Kozhikode district's rural areas reveals a higher preference for private healthcare, with 1 in 6 people (17.4%) needing outpatient treatment and 1 in 50 (1.9%) requiring inpatient care within a year. Private facilities were chosen more often for both types of care, and out-of-pocket expenses (OOPE) were greater for private services.
Despite some households being covered by government health insurance schemes, the financial burden remained significant for both insured and uninsured households. In outpatient care, 83.1% sought treatment from any facility, with 53.4% opting for private care. The median OOPE for outpatient care was ₹145 in public facilities and ₹700 in private facilities.
For inpatient care, 77% of cases were treated in private facilities, with a median OOPE of ₹600, while private sector IP care was less expensive than previous studies may suggest due to minor illnesses or quick discharges for insurance claim compliance.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
