Analyzing the Relationship Between Health Insurance, Health Costs, and Health Care Utilization

In this article, we provide an empirical analysis of the determinants of whether an individual purchases health insurance coverage. We describe the relationship between health insurance, health costs, and health care utilization of the elderly, using data from the Health and Retirement Survey and the Assets and Health Dynamics among the Oldest Old. We show how health costs and health care utilization depend upon access to health insurance for individuals aged 50 and older.