Health Care Economics

Description: This quiz covers the fundamental concepts and principles of Health Care Economics, including healthcare systems, financing, demand and supply, market failures, and government interventions.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: health care economics healthcare systems financing demand and supply market failures government interventions
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What is the primary objective of Health Care Economics?

  1. To maximize profits for healthcare providers.

  2. To ensure equitable access to healthcare services.

  3. To minimize healthcare costs.

  4. To promote competition among healthcare providers.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Health Care Economics aims to allocate scarce healthcare resources efficiently and equitably, ensuring that individuals have access to necessary healthcare services regardless of their ability to pay.

Which of the following is NOT a common type of healthcare system?

  1. Single-payer system.

  2. Universal healthcare system.

  3. Private insurance system.

  4. Out-of-pocket system.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Out-of-pocket systems, where individuals pay for healthcare services directly, are not as common as the other options, which involve some form of collective financing or insurance.

What is the term used to describe the situation where the demand for healthcare services exceeds the supply?

  1. Healthcare shortage.

  2. Healthcare surplus.

  3. Healthcare equilibrium.

  4. Healthcare rationing.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Healthcare rationing refers to the allocation of scarce healthcare resources when demand exceeds supply, often involving decisions about who receives care and how much care is provided.

Which of the following is NOT a common source of healthcare financing?

  1. Government funds.

  2. Private insurance premiums.

  3. Employer-sponsored health insurance.

  4. Out-of-pocket payments.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Employer-sponsored health insurance is not as common in all countries as the other options, which are more prevalent sources of healthcare financing.

What is the term used to describe the situation where the price of healthcare services is determined by the interaction of supply and demand?

  1. Healthcare market equilibrium.

  2. Healthcare market failure.

  3. Healthcare price-fixing.

  4. Healthcare government regulation.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Healthcare market equilibrium occurs when the quantity of healthcare services demanded equals the quantity supplied, resulting in a stable price.

Which of the following is NOT a common type of market failure in healthcare?

  1. Externalities.

  2. Information asymmetry.

  3. Moral hazard.

  4. Natural monopoly.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Natural monopoly is not a common type of market failure in healthcare, as healthcare services are typically provided by multiple entities rather than a single dominant supplier.

What is the term used to describe the situation where individuals consume more healthcare services than they would if they had to pay the full cost?

  1. Moral hazard.

  2. Adverse selection.

  3. Principal-agent problem.

  4. Healthcare rationing.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Moral hazard occurs when individuals have an incentive to consume more healthcare services than they would if they had to pay the full cost, due to the presence of insurance or other forms of risk-sharing.

Which of the following is NOT a common government intervention in healthcare?

  1. Price controls.

  2. Subsidies.

  3. Taxation.

  4. Direct provision of healthcare services.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Direct provision of healthcare services is not as common a government intervention as the other options, which are more frequently used to regulate and influence the healthcare market.

What is the term used to describe the situation where individuals with higher health risks are more likely to purchase health insurance?

  1. Adverse selection.

  2. Moral hazard.

  3. Principal-agent problem.

  4. Healthcare rationing.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Adverse selection occurs when individuals with higher health risks are more likely to purchase health insurance, leading to higher premiums for everyone.

Which of the following is NOT a common goal of healthcare policy?

  1. Improving access to healthcare services.

  2. Reducing healthcare costs.

  3. Promoting competition among healthcare providers.

  4. Maximizing profits for healthcare providers.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Maximizing profits for healthcare providers is not a common goal of healthcare policy, as it conflicts with the objective of ensuring equitable access to healthcare services and promoting the overall well-being of the population.

What is the term used to describe the situation where a healthcare provider has more information about a patient's condition than the patient does?

  1. Information asymmetry.

  2. Moral hazard.

  3. Principal-agent problem.

  4. Healthcare rationing.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Information asymmetry occurs when a healthcare provider has more information about a patient's condition than the patient does, leading to potential problems in decision-making and resource allocation.

Which of the following is NOT a common type of healthcare provider?

  1. Physicians.

  2. Nurses.

  3. Pharmacists.

  4. Insurance companies.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Insurance companies are not healthcare providers in the traditional sense, as they do not directly provide medical care to patients.

What is the term used to describe the situation where a healthcare provider acts in their own best interest, rather than in the best interest of the patient?

  1. Principal-agent problem.

  2. Adverse selection.

  3. Moral hazard.

  4. Healthcare rationing.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Principal-agent problem occurs when a healthcare provider acts in their own best interest, rather than in the best interest of the patient, due to misaligned incentives or lack of accountability.

Which of the following is NOT a common type of healthcare service?

  1. Medical consultations.

  2. Surgical procedures.

  3. Prescription drugs.

  4. Financial advice.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Financial advice is not a common type of healthcare service, as it does not directly relate to the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of illness or injury.

What is the term used to describe the situation where healthcare resources are allocated based on non-medical criteria, such as ability to pay or social status?

  1. Healthcare rationing.

  2. Healthcare equity.

  3. Healthcare efficiency.

  4. Healthcare discrimination.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Healthcare discrimination occurs when healthcare resources are allocated based on non-medical criteria, such as ability to pay or social status, leading to unequal access to care.

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