The name is absent

The effect of age on the probability of joining after 2000 holding all other variables at
the sample mean, are shown in Figure 2 and marginal changes based on the index
individual are shown in Table 6.

In summary based on the index individual the following characteristics were
associated with an increased probability of having purchased private hospital cover
after 2000:

— Turning 30 years of age after 2000,

— Being single or in a couple with no children in 2001

— Having no financial assets in 2001

— Not becoming financially worse-off in 2001

— Having no increase in benefits from 2001 to 2002

— Being from a non-English speaking background and/or born overseas

— Having a long-term illness or disability

Variables with negligible effect on joining private hospital cover after 2000 included
smoking status, region of residence, having a family member with a recent illness or
disability and changes in financial assets after 2001.

Left After 2000

The index individual for leaving private hospital cover after the introduction of the
lifetime health cover policy is a 35 year old female, in a working couple with 3
children, the youngest under 5 years old. She smokes regularly and has no long-term
illness or disability. Her individual wages are $50,000 and her partner’s wages are
$70,000. The full details of the index individual are shown in Table 4. The estimated
probability of the index individual being in the group that left private hospital cover
after 2000 is 46%.

Figure 3 shows the effect of age on leaving hospital cover after 2000, with all other
variables held at the sample mean. Effects based on the index individual are shown in
Table 7.

In summary based on the index individual the following characteristics were
associated with an increased probability of leaving private hospital cover after 2000:

— Younger age

— Having less financial assets and greater household debt in 2001

— Taking no financial risks

— Reporting a worsening of financial circumstances prior to 2001

— Having a decrease in wages and increase in benefits 2001 to 2002

— Being in an occupation other than professional

— A regular smoker

Variables with negligible effect on the probability of leaving private hospital cover
after 2000 included having a disability or long-term health condition, number of
children and self-assessed prosperity.

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