OBJECTIVES : Hospitalization of a family member could have a negative impact on the household expenditure and the out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE). The objective of this study was to evaluate OOPE due to hospitalization in the Peruvian population

METHODS : A cross-sectional, secondary data analysis study using the ENAHO survey, a household level survey performed by the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics of Peru, was conducted to estimate the level and linear trend of OOPE according to economic status (poor vs no poor) in the period 2007-2016.

RESULTS : The OOPE mean at national level was 201.91 in 2007 and 188.98 in 2016. OOPE was higher in the no poor population in all the studied years, e.g., 2007: No poor (248.63 USD); poor (91.98 USD) and 2016: no poor (202.10 USD); poor (81.00 USD). Trends in OOPE at the national level and regarding economic status shows a reduction during the study period (R= 0,25; 0,14; and 0,29, respectively). By 2010, a percentage variation of 51.0% was observed, which coincided with the year of transition to the implementation of Universal Health Insurance in Peru, a period with variations in the health insurance conditions.

CONCLUSIONS : There was a reduction in the OOPE at the national level, in poor and no poor population during the period 2007-2016. Despite the implementation of a Universal Health Insurance program in Peru, Peruvians continue incurring in OOPE. It is necessary to evaluate factors related to this phenomenon that could conduct to catastrophic health expenditures.