American Economic Review · 2021 · Florian Heiß、Daniel L. McFadden、Joachim Winter、Amelie Wuppermann、Bo Zhou
中文摘要
即使最优计划随时间变化，消费者的健康计划选择仍具有高度的持续性。本文区分了惯性的两个来源：对计划选择的注意力不足与转换成本。我们构建了一个包含独立的注意力与选择阶段的面板数据模型，这两个阶段通过敏锐度（即做出审慎选择的能力与意愿）的异质性相联系。使用 Medicare Part D 的数据，我们发现注意力不足是惯性的重要来源，但转换成本也发挥作用，特别是对于低敏锐度的个体。区分这两个阶段并允许异质性，对于减少惯性的干预措施的反事实模拟至关重要。(JEL D12, G22, H51, I13, I18, L65)
Abstract
Consumers’ health plan choices are highly persistent even though optimal plans change over time. This paper separates two sources of inertia, inattention to plan choice and switching costs. We develop a panel data model with separate attention and choice stages, linked by heterogeneity in acuity, i.e., the ability and willingness to make diligent choices. Using data from Medicare Part D, we find that inattention is an important source of inertia but switching costs also play a role, particularly for low-acuity individuals. Separating the two stages and allowing for heterogeneity is crucial for counterfactual simulations of interventions that reduce inertia. (JEL D12, G22, H51, I13, I18, L65)