A hurdle and negative binomial model approach to analyzing the gender differences in diagnostic imaging utilization under high-deductible health plans
IntroductionHigh-Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) have been increasingly adopted as a cost-containment strategy in healthcare. However, their impact on the utilization of diagnostic imaging services, particularly across different genders, remains underexplored. This study explores how HDHPs enrollmen...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-03-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1476782/full |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850206740603207680 |
|---|---|
| author | Qingyu Hu Sarah Zheng |
| author_facet | Qingyu Hu Sarah Zheng |
| author_sort | Qingyu Hu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionHigh-Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) have been increasingly adopted as a cost-containment strategy in healthcare. However, their impact on the utilization of diagnostic imaging services, particularly across different genders, remains underexplored. This study explores how HDHPs enrollment affect imaging utilization rates and usage patterns among patients of different genders, and it examines the associated gender disparities across various imaging modalities.MethodsUsing data from the 2010 Thomson-Reuters MarketScan Commercial Database, we conducted a quantitative analysis employing Negative Binomial Regression and Hurdle models. The models assessed the association between HDHPs enrollment and diagnostic imaging utilization, with a focus on gender-based differences in usage patterns.ResultsThe analysis revealed that males generally utilize diagnostic imaging services less frequently than females. After HDHPs enrollment, overall imaging utilization declined by 7%, with a more pronounced reduction observed among male enrollees. Specifically, the likelihood of initial ultrasound utilization among males dropped by 8.2% more than among females. However, once at least one imaging procedure had been initiated, gender differences in utilization among HDHPs enrollees were no longer significant.DiscussionThe findings suggest that HDHPs have a gender-differentiated effects on diagnostic imaging utilization, with males experiencing a more significant reduction, especially in the initial use of diagnostic imaging and in the use of ultrasound services. These results highlight the need for gender-sensitive approaches in health insurance policy design and emphasize the importance of targeted patient education to promote equitable access and resource allocation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-23c7e73f91b44de38945667e2a29befa |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-23c7e73f91b44de38945667e2a29befa2025-08-20T02:10:42ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-03-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.14767821476782A hurdle and negative binomial model approach to analyzing the gender differences in diagnostic imaging utilization under high-deductible health plansQingyu Hu0Sarah Zheng1School of Economics and Business Administration, Chongqing University, Chongqing, ChinaGustavson School of Business, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, CanadaIntroductionHigh-Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) have been increasingly adopted as a cost-containment strategy in healthcare. However, their impact on the utilization of diagnostic imaging services, particularly across different genders, remains underexplored. This study explores how HDHPs enrollment affect imaging utilization rates and usage patterns among patients of different genders, and it examines the associated gender disparities across various imaging modalities.MethodsUsing data from the 2010 Thomson-Reuters MarketScan Commercial Database, we conducted a quantitative analysis employing Negative Binomial Regression and Hurdle models. The models assessed the association between HDHPs enrollment and diagnostic imaging utilization, with a focus on gender-based differences in usage patterns.ResultsThe analysis revealed that males generally utilize diagnostic imaging services less frequently than females. After HDHPs enrollment, overall imaging utilization declined by 7%, with a more pronounced reduction observed among male enrollees. Specifically, the likelihood of initial ultrasound utilization among males dropped by 8.2% more than among females. However, once at least one imaging procedure had been initiated, gender differences in utilization among HDHPs enrollees were no longer significant.DiscussionThe findings suggest that HDHPs have a gender-differentiated effects on diagnostic imaging utilization, with males experiencing a more significant reduction, especially in the initial use of diagnostic imaging and in the use of ultrasound services. These results highlight the need for gender-sensitive approaches in health insurance policy design and emphasize the importance of targeted patient education to promote equitable access and resource allocation.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1476782/fullhigh-deductible health plansnegative binomial regressionhurdle modelgendersdiagnostic imaging services |
| spellingShingle | Qingyu Hu Sarah Zheng A hurdle and negative binomial model approach to analyzing the gender differences in diagnostic imaging utilization under high-deductible health plans Frontiers in Public Health high-deductible health plans negative binomial regression hurdle model genders diagnostic imaging services |
| title | A hurdle and negative binomial model approach to analyzing the gender differences in diagnostic imaging utilization under high-deductible health plans |
| title_full | A hurdle and negative binomial model approach to analyzing the gender differences in diagnostic imaging utilization under high-deductible health plans |
| title_fullStr | A hurdle and negative binomial model approach to analyzing the gender differences in diagnostic imaging utilization under high-deductible health plans |
| title_full_unstemmed | A hurdle and negative binomial model approach to analyzing the gender differences in diagnostic imaging utilization under high-deductible health plans |
| title_short | A hurdle and negative binomial model approach to analyzing the gender differences in diagnostic imaging utilization under high-deductible health plans |
| title_sort | hurdle and negative binomial model approach to analyzing the gender differences in diagnostic imaging utilization under high deductible health plans |
| topic | high-deductible health plans negative binomial regression hurdle model genders diagnostic imaging services |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1476782/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT qingyuhu ahurdleandnegativebinomialmodelapproachtoanalyzingthegenderdifferencesindiagnosticimagingutilizationunderhighdeductiblehealthplans AT sarahzheng ahurdleandnegativebinomialmodelapproachtoanalyzingthegenderdifferencesindiagnosticimagingutilizationunderhighdeductiblehealthplans AT qingyuhu hurdleandnegativebinomialmodelapproachtoanalyzingthegenderdifferencesindiagnosticimagingutilizationunderhighdeductiblehealthplans AT sarahzheng hurdleandnegativebinomialmodelapproachtoanalyzingthegenderdifferencesindiagnosticimagingutilizationunderhighdeductiblehealthplans |