This paper exploits rich SOEP microdata to analyze state-level variation in health care utilization in Germany. Unlike most studies in the field of the Small Area Variation (SAV) literature, our approach allows us to net out a large array of individual-level and state-level factors that may...

We analyzed the impact of social networks on general practitioners' (GPs) referral behavior based on administrative panel data from 2,684,273 referrals to resident specialists made between 1998 and 2007. To construct estimated social networks, we used information on the doctors' place and time...

Total factor productivity (TFP) growth allows for additional health care services under restricted resources. We examine whether hospital policy can stimulate hospital TFP growth. We exploit variation across German federal states in the period 1993 to 2013. State governments decide on hospital...

We explore how competition between physicians affects medical service provision. Previous research has shown that, without competition, physicians deviate from patient-optimal treatment under payment systems like capitation and fee-for-service. While competition might reduce these distortions,...

Healthcare is a very important, and at the same time difficult element of each state's policy. For many countries, the issue of financing the healthcare system is a delicate matter, while at the same time one of the basic economic and social issues. Nevertheless, decisions concerning the sources...

The medical services market in Poland is financed mainly with funds from national health insurance, yet year by year, an increasing importance of private resources in financing health services can be noticed. Apart from common (national) health insurance, medical care is primarily financed...

Healthcare in Poland is mainly financed by public sector entities, among them the National Health Fund (NFZ), state budget and local government budgets. The task of the National Health Fund, as the main payer in the system, is chiefly currently financing the services. The state budget plays a...

This paper describes the properties and components of integrated hospital IT systems, and the correlations of those comprehensive systems with the use of tools supporting financial management of the units. The first part discusses the essence of Integrated IT Systems and attempts to apply the...

Defining legally permitted financing sources is fundamental for each medical entity. The act on medical activity of 15th April 2011introduced many changes for medical service suppliers also as concerns the permitted financing sources. This paper aims to present the types of medical entities and...

The aging population, the increasing number of lifestyle diseases and the increasing proportion of difficult-to-cure illnesses in the EU demands the use of modern medicine and modern medical technology. Such a situation leads to an increase of funds spent on the health sector. Therefore the...