Health Insurance (ZKV)
The Department of Health Insurance (ZKV) performs theoretical and empirical policy-relevant research on the performance of health insurance market and the role of health insurers as purchasers of health care. A substantial part of the research consists of contract research for public and private parties. Main areas of research are:
- The design and evaluation of the actual implementation of the managed competition model in health care;
- The design and evaluation of risk equalization schemes;
- The potential of market failure in different submarkets and the implications for (de)regulation and competition policy;
- Market definition and the assessment of market power in health care markets;
- Selective contracting, managed care and vertical integration;
- Consumer preferences and the possibility for health insurers to channel subscribers toward preferred providers;
- Deductibles and premium rebates;
- Consumer price sensitivity and switching behavior;
- Effect of consumer information on health plan choice;
- Supplementary health insurance;
- Group insurance;
- Organizing and financing long-term care;
- International comparison of health care reforms.
