Final answer:
Collecting patient copays is crucial for reducing moral hazard, as it leads to reduced unnecessary utilization of medical services without negatively affecting health outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is important to collect patient copays when patients check in for several reasons. Copays are a form of cost sharing that require individuals to pay a flat fee before receiving medical services. This notion is essential in reducing moral hazard as it discourages patients from consuming unnecessary medical care. Studies show that with moderate deductibles and copayments, individuals tend to consume about one-third less in medical care compared to those with full insurance that does not require out-of-pocket expenses. This behavior occurs because copayments ensure that policyholders bear some part of the cost, thus making them more conscious about the necessity of the care they request.
Moreover, there is no significant difference in the health status of those who consume less health care due to copayments compared to those who have complete insurance. This underlines the effectiveness of copayments in not just controlling unnecessary utilization of medical services but also maintaining the quality of healthcare provision. Hence, implementing copays at check-in is crucial for sustaining the balance between usage, cost, and quality within the healthcare system.