What occurs during adverse selection in health insurance markets?

During adverse selection in health insurance markets, individuals with higher health risks are indeed more likely to purchase insurance. This phenomenon occurs because those who expect to utilize health services more often—such as individuals with pre-existing conditions or chronic illnesses—recognize their greater need for coverage and are thus motivated to buy health insurance. This behavior can lead to a disproportionate number of high-risk individuals in the insurance pool.

As a result, insurers may face challenges in setting premiums that adequately reflect the risks of the entire subscriber base. If primarily high-risk individuals buy insurance, it can lead to higher overall costs for the insurer, which might then necessitate raising premiums or altering coverage terms for everyone. The dynamics of adverse selection illustrate the significance of balancing risk among insured individuals and the challenges insurers encounter when not all parties have complete information about their health risk status.