Integration of medical care and elderly care: Chinese experience and outcomes of older adults

Separated supply of medical and elderly care in China have been worrying issues especially in the aging era as medical needs and elderly care needs often interplay with each other among aged people. Utilizing panel data from CLHLS and a difference-in-differences identification strategy, this article examines China's 2016 nationwide pilot on integration of medical care and elderly care (IMEC) at city level. Results reveal that medical and elderly care integration significantly decreases one-year mortality of the elderly people. Further mechanism analysis shows that the IMEC policy likely benefits older adults through enhanced health outcomes, and extended delivery of medical care and elderly care. Our study emphasizes the critical importance of the integration of medical and elderly care for addressing the multifaceted needs of the aging population, providing a foundation for informed policy decisions and future interventions. • China's IMEC policy is unique, emphasizing both horizontal and vertical integration. • It reduces mortality among older adults. • Improved health and extended service delivery are potential mechanisms. • Higher SES likely benefits more.