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  3. American Economic Review
  4. December 2016
  5. Choice Inconsistencies among the Elderly: Evidence from Plan Choice in the Medicare Part D Program: Reply

Choice Inconsistencies among the Elderly: Evidence from Plan Choice in the Medicare Part D Program: Reply

  • Jason Abaluck
  • Jonathan Gruber
American Economic Review
vol. 106, no. 12, December 2016
(pp. 3962-87)
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Abstract

We explore the in- and out-of-sample robustness of tests for choice inconsistencies based on parameter restrictions in parametric models, focusing on tests proposed by Ketcham, Kuminoff, and Powers (2016). We argue that their nonparametric alternatives are inherently conservative with respect to detecting mistakes. We then show that our parametric model is robust to KKP's suggested specification checks, and that comprehensive goodness of fit measures perform better with our model than the expected utility model. Finally, we explore the robustness of our 2011 results to alternative normative assumptions highlighting the role of brand fixed effects and unobservable characteristics.

Citation

Abaluck, Jason, and Jonathan Gruber. 2016. "Choice Inconsistencies among the Elderly: Evidence from Plan Choice in the Medicare Part D Program: Reply." American Economic Review, 106 (12): 3962-87. DOI: 10.1257/aer.20151318

Additional Materials

JEL Classification

  • D12 Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
  • H51 National Government Expenditures and Health
  • I13 Health Insurance, Public and Private
  • I18 Health: Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
  • J14 Economics of the Elderly; Economics of the Handicapped; Non-Labor Market Discrimination