Ban on Risk-Rated Health Insurance Premiums in Chile Hurts Consumers
The article examines the impact of changing health insurance pricing in Chile from being based on individual risk factors to a flat rate for everyone. By analyzing data from Chilean insurers, the researchers found that if premiums are not adjusted for age and sex, many young and healthy people may choose to not buy insurance, leading to higher costs for those who do. Overall, this shift is predicted to decrease consumer satisfaction by 1.3%, even if people can't pick plans based on private information. While equal pricing may seem fair, it can make the market less efficient.