A Study of the Relations between Characteristics of the Elderly with Disabilities and Extra Health Care Costs Caused by Disability

This study found a relationship between the characteristics of the elderly with disabilities and extra health care monthly costs caused by disability and suggests methods for effectively managing health care spending of the elderly with disabilities. This study used data from the 2011 Survey on the Disabled conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs. The results of the analysis indicate that the relations between the socio-demographic characteristics of the elderly with disabilities and extra health care monthly costs caused by disability of the elderly are influenced by factors such as gender, age, members of the household, average monthly income and type of health insurance. Elderly people with disabilities spend too much for their medical care. To solve this problem, the government needs to find a variety of policy approaches to improve administrative procedure, establish a medical delivery system and enhance health care services.