Nadia Tamminga

  Faculty of Health, Medicine & Life Sciences | Bachelor European Public Health

Effects of Cost-Sharing on Moral Hazard in European and OECD Health Systems: A Systematic Literature Review

Nadia's elevator pitch
Health expenditure is rising faster than economic growth, placing increasing pressure on health systems worldwide. A key contributor to this is moral hazard, where insurance coverage reduces financial responsibility and encourages both patients and providers to overuse health services. My thesis investigates whether introducing cost-sharing mechanisms can effectively reduce moral hazard in European and OECD health systems. Through a systematic literature review, I analyse how patients and providers respond to different forms of cost-sharing. While the findings suggest that cost-sharing can efficiently control costs, it can also create inequities. This thesis highlights the importance of implementing policies that limit unnecessary use while ensuring access to essential care.