In: Economics
Suppose that in the absence of insurance, the inverse demand for office doctor visits is given by the equation P1 = 150 - 30Q. Graph the demand curve. Graph the demand curve when the person has health insurance with a coinsurance rate of 25%. What is demand for visits with and without insurance when doctors receive $60/visit?
In the absence of Insurance, the inverse demand is given by,
PD = 150 - 30Q. The demand curve for this is shown in the figure below as DD:
Let the Price received by the sellers = PS. With coinsurance rate e, the price that consumers face is PD = e*PS
The coinsurance rate, e = 25% = 0.25. So, PD = e*PS
PD = (0.25)*PS = 150 - 30Q (Inverse demand equation)
P = (150 / 0.25) - (30 / 0.25) * Q
P = 600 - 120Q. Demand equation with coinsurance. We draw this demand curve in the figure below by line DD1.
Now, when doctors receive $60/visit i.e. P = 60
Then the demand is 60 = 150 - 30Q
Implies Q= 3.
Consumers will pay only $15 with a coinsurance rate of 25% i.e. 25% of 60 = 15
So, demand with co-insurance => P = 600 - 120Q
60 = 600 - 120Q
Q = 4.5
Demand for visits without insurance = 3
Demand for visits with coinsurance = 4.5