Table 1 Description of dependent variables

Health-seeking behaviors

Annual number of outpatient visits (Y₁)

Total number of outpatient visits of a diabetes patient per year

Annual number of hospitalizations (Y₂)

Total number of hospitalizations of a diabetes patient per year

Annual number of medical visits (Y₃)

Total number of medical visits of a diabetes patient per year, which is equal to annual number of outpatient visits plus annual number of hospitalizations

Health outcomes

Annual length of hospital stays (LnY₄)

Total days spent on hospitalization by a diabetes patient for any cause per year

Annual average length of a hospital stay (LnY₅₎

Average days spent on a single hospital stay by a diabetes patient for any cause per year

Number of diabetes complications (Y₆)

Number of diabetes complications suffered by a diabetes patient

DCSI score (Y₇)

Diabetes Complications Severity Index (DCSI) score is a total score for diabetes complications of a diabetes patient [35], for measuring severity of diabetes complications; Higher score means a more serious complication

Medical expenses

Annual outpatient expenses (LnY₈)

Total amount of outpatient expenses incurred by a diabetes patient per year

Annual inpatient expenses (LnY₉)

Total amount of inpatient expenses incurred by a diabetes patient per year

Annual medical expenses (LnY₁₀)

Total amount of medical expenses incurred by a diabetes patient per year, which is equal to annual outpatient expenses plus annual inpatient expenses

Annual out-of-pocket expenses (LnY₁₁)

Expenses that are covered by the basic medical insurance but fall within the deductible and above the reimbursement cap; and expenses that fall above the deductible and below reimbursement cap but need to be borne by a diabetes patient

Expenditure of the basic medical insurance funds

Annual expenditure of the basic medical insurance fund on outpatient services (LnY₁₂)

Total expenses paid by the basic medical insurance funds in the annual outpatient expenses incurred by a diabetes patient per year

Annual expenditure of the basic medical insurance fund on inpatient services (LnY₁₃)

Total expenses paid by the basic medical insurance funds in the annual inpatient expenses incurred by a diabetes patient per year

Annual expenditure of the basic medical insurance fund on healthcare services (LnY₁₄)

Total expenses paid by the basic medical insurance funds in the annual medical expenses incurred by a diabetes patient per year