Insurer and out‐of‐pocket costs of osteoarthritis in the US: Evidence from national survey data

• DOI: 10.1002/art.24984
• Publication Date: 2009-11-30T18:13:25Z
• Authors: Harry Kotlarz; Candace L. Gunnar...; Hai Fang; John A. Rizzo
• Keywords: Health Economics

Abstract Objective Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major debilitating disease affecting ∼27 million persons in the US. Yet, financial costs to patients and insurers remain poorly understood. The purpose of this study was quantify by multivariate analyses relationships between OA annual health care expenditures borne insurers. Methods Data from Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) for years 1996–2005 were used. MEPS large, nationally representative US database that includes information on expenditures, medical conditions, insurance status, sociodemographic characteristics. Individual aggregated cost estimates are provided. Results found contribute substantially expenditures. Among women, increased out‐of‐pocket (OOP) $1,379 per annum (2007 dollars) insurer $4,833. men, OOP $694 $4,036. Given high prevalence OA, aggregate effects very large. raised $185.5 billion. Of amount, $149.4 billion $36.1 Because greater women their more intensive use care, total group accounted $118 billion, or almost two‐thirds increase resulting OA. Conclusion burden associated with quite large all groups examined disproportionately higher women. Although bear brunt treatment also substantial.