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Seminar in Economics | with Matilde Cappelletti

Department of Economics welcomes you to a seminar with Matilde Cappelletti, University of Mannheim.

Welcome to this seminar in economics organized by the Department of Economics, SSE. The seminar speaker is Matilde Cappelletti, University of Mannheim.

Abstract

I investigate whether a decrease in a prescription drug's out-of-pocket cost increases risky behaviors due to ex-ante moral hazard. In a difference-in-difference setting, I leverage the staggered implementation of U.S. state-level policies lowering insulin out-of-pocket costs.  For individuals with diabetes, insulin dosage must increase as carbohydrate intake increases. Using household-level scanner data, I find that the out-of-pocket cost reduction results in a temporary 4.8% increase in carbohydrate purchases. The results show that the increase in carbohydrates is driven both by fibers (4.1%) and sugar (9.3%), with only the latter causing blood sugar spikes. Although I find a temporary increase in other dietary components— such as fats and overall caloric intake—, a diet score analysis reveals no changes in diet healthiness. Hence, ex-ante moral hazard appears to be present but has a limited role. In addition, I find evidence of improved disease monitoring and better medication adherence. 

The seminar takes place at the Stockholm School of Economics, Bertil Ohlins gata 4.

Please contact Malin Skanelid if you have any questions.

Dept. of Economics Economics Seminar in economics