Überschuldung und Zuzahlungen im deutschen Gesundheitssystem – Benachteiligung bei Ausgabenarmut

Aim of the study In the past few years, the number of over-indebted private households in Germany has steadily increased and is currently estimated to have reached 3.13 million. Financial difficulties culminating in private insolvencies of the persons concerned may lead to a restrained usage of health-care services that require additional payment. For the first time ever this study has examined whether over-indebted individuals refrain from seeking medical treatment or from buying prescribed medicine because of their financial situation. Methods The cross-sectional study covered over-indebted persons in Rhineland-Palatinate and was conducted between July 2006 and March 2007. In cooperation …