Substitution of physicians and other providers in outpatient mental health care
利用美国全国医疗支出调查数据，评估患者因保险覆盖差异而在医师与非医师门诊心理健康服务之间的替代程度，发现两者是替代品，支持保险覆盖平等。
This paper evaluates the extent to which patients may substitute physician and non-physician outpatient mental health services in response to insurance coverage which differs by provider type. Using data from the National Medical Expenditure Survey, a semi-flexible two-stage demand specification is used to estimate substitution elasticities. Our results indicate that insurance coverage significantly affects the choice of provider from whom care is sought and, for individuals who seek care from both provider types, that physician and non-physician services are substitutes. Our elasticity estimates provide a welfare economic argument supporting coverage parity of physician and non-physician mental health services.