OBJECTIVES: India is experiencing rapid population ageing in recent years. One of the most concerning issue of population ageing is the type of health services used by the elderly, which has a bearing on the magnitude of health expenditure. In this context, the present study examines the predictors of the choice of inpatient health services (Private vs. Public) utilised by Indian elderly in the light of the Anderson’s Health Behavioural Model. The paper also captures the dynamics of inter-regional disparity in the choice of inpatient health care services, utilised by elderly.

METHODS: Using National Sample Survey (NSS) data, a total number of 7070 elderly patients were included in the study. Logistic Regression Model was used to examine the correlation between socio-economic-demographic predictors (Predisposing, Enabling and Need factors as proposed by Anderson Model) and choice of inpatient health services (Private vs Public).

RESULTS: Result shows that 63% of the respondents utilised private inpatient services although private hospitalisation was 4 times costlier than the public one. Elderly belonging to upper caste and having higher levels of education, higher incomes and larger family size preferred private health services. on the other hand, economic dependence, chronic disease, higher duration of hospitalisation and need for surgery had a definite bias towards utilising public inpatient services. But both the magnitude and significance of these variables widely varied across different regions within the country.

CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides an understanding of the preference of geriatric population regarding the choice of hospital services which may help policymakers to understand the health care needs of this grey population. The paper suggests certain policy improvements – infrastructural development in public hospitals being one of them.