1- National Center for Health Insurance Research, Tehran, Iran
2- National Center for Health Insurance Research, Tehran, Iran ,rahimi.nnn@gmail.com
2- National Center for Health Insurance Research, Tehran, Iran ,
Abstract: (72 Views)
Introduction: Rising healthcare expenditures and changing patterns of healthcare visits are among the major challenges facing health insurance organizations. The present study examines trends in healthcare expenditures and healthcare visits at current and constant prices within the Iran Health Insurance Organization(IHIO) over the period 2011–2024.
Methods: This study is a retrospective descriptive study based on time-series data from 2011 to 2024. Data were extracted from statistical yearbooks, the monitoring system of the IHIO, and the Statistical Center of Iran. Expenditures were calculated at both current and constant prices. Descriptive statistics and graphical analyses were used to analyze trends.
Results: From 2011 to 2024, at current and constant prices, respectively, total healthcare expenditures increased from 26 to 754 and 39 trillion IRR, the average cost per visit increased from 163 to 3,812 and 197K IRR, and the average expenditure per insured increased from 756K to 16.6M and 859K IRR. Expenditures at current prices showed an increasing trend, whereas expenditures at constant prices exhibited a fluctuating pattern. The highest constant-price expenditures were observed during 2014–2018 (≥42 trillion IRR), while the lowest expenditure was recorded in 2020 (24 trillion IRR). The highest and lowest numbers of visits were recorded in 2016 (199.2M) and 2020 (94.5M), respectively.
Conclusion: The substantial growth in nominal healthcare expenditures was mainly attributable to inflation, whereas expenditures at constant prices followed a fluctuating trend and were influenced by factors such as the Health Transformation Plan, the COVID-19 pandemic, and changes in healthcare service coverage.
Methods: This study is a retrospective descriptive study based on time-series data from 2011 to 2024. Data were extracted from statistical yearbooks, the monitoring system of the IHIO, and the Statistical Center of Iran. Expenditures were calculated at both current and constant prices. Descriptive statistics and graphical analyses were used to analyze trends.
Results: From 2011 to 2024, at current and constant prices, respectively, total healthcare expenditures increased from 26 to 754 and 39 trillion IRR, the average cost per visit increased from 163 to 3,812 and 197K IRR, and the average expenditure per insured increased from 756K to 16.6M and 859K IRR. Expenditures at current prices showed an increasing trend, whereas expenditures at constant prices exhibited a fluctuating pattern. The highest constant-price expenditures were observed during 2014–2018 (≥42 trillion IRR), while the lowest expenditure was recorded in 2020 (24 trillion IRR). The highest and lowest numbers of visits were recorded in 2016 (199.2M) and 2020 (94.5M), respectively.
Conclusion: The substantial growth in nominal healthcare expenditures was mainly attributable to inflation, whereas expenditures at constant prices followed a fluctuating trend and were influenced by factors such as the Health Transformation Plan, the COVID-19 pandemic, and changes in healthcare service coverage.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/09/14 | Revised: 2026/09/14 | Accepted: 2026/09/1
Received: 2026/09/14 | Revised: 2026/09/14 | Accepted: 2026/09/1
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