The researchers identified 5,090 patients with Crohn’s disease, whose information they analyzed using insurance claims data and reimbursement information from 11 health plans. They paid particular attention to the mean healthcare cost per patient, relative cost of anti-tumor necrosis factor agents and healthcare costs for 31 comorbid conditions.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. The mean health plan paid cost per year was $18,637 for a typical Crohn’s disease patient; 28 percent of Crohn’s disease patients accounted for 80 percent of total healthcare costs.
2. When investigating demographic characteristics, researchers found the mean health plan cost for patients 20 years of age or below was $22,796 compared to $18,095 for those above 20 years of age.
3. Increased health plan paid costs were significantly associated with the patient’s number of comorbidities.
4. Pharmacy utilization costs accounted for 45.5 percent of the total costs; anti-tumor necrosis factor agents comprised 29.5 percent of these costs.
5. Inpatient care comprised 23.1 percent of total cost associated with Crohn’s disease; outpatient care comprised 15.7 percent of total cost associated with Crohn’s disease.
The researchers conclude: “Pragmatic strategies to encourage gastroenterologists in the best clinical practice of optimizing anti-TNF use — in particular for younger age patients and those with multiple comorbidities — are necessary to reduce avoidable pharmacy utilization and inpatient care costs.”
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