The cost of health care for children and adults with sickle cell disease

Abstract

Although sickle cell disease (SCD) is marked by high utilization of medical resources, the full cost of care for patients with SCD, including care not directly related to SCD, is unknown. The purpose of this study was to estimate the total cost of medical care for a population of children and adults with SCD. We used data from individuals diagnosed with SCD enrolled in the Florida Medicaid program during 2001-2005 to estimate total, SCD-related, and non-SCD-related cost per patient-month based on patient age at the time of health care use. Across the 4,294 patient samples, total health care costs generally rose with age, from $892 to $2,562 per patient-month in the 0-9-and 50-64-year age groups, respectively. Average cost per patient-month was $1,389. Overall, 51.8% of care was directly related to SCD, the majority of which (80.5%) was associated with inpatient hospitalizations. Notably, non-SCD-related costs were substantially higher than those reported for the general US population. These results suggest a discounted (3% discount rate) lifetime cost of care averaging $460,151 per patient with SCD. Interventions designed to prevent SCD complications and avoid hospitalizations may reduce the significant economic burden of the disease. Am. J.

The cost of health care for patients with sickle cell disease

“…The average life time ''cost'' of care reported by Kauf et al [12] in this issue of the American Journal of Hematology is $460,151 per patient with SCD. This is much lower than our calculations listed in Table III and the previously reported calculations [1,3,5].…”

“…Hb SC disease and sickle -b 1 -thalassemia, for example are much less costly than SS. Moreover the numbers mentioned by Kauf et al [12] seem to represent the Medicaid reimbursement for the submitted fees rather than the actual cost or actual submitted fees (charges).…”

“…Kauf et al [12] addressed the cost for children and adults with SCD. They had twice as many children as adults.…”

Emerging drugs for sickle cell anemia

“…Many patients are living in poverty with their illness due to chronic pain, and physical disability limiting their ability to work and contribute to society [13]. The economic burden on society was estimated at $1.1 billion in 2009 [31]. This number is projected to increase as patients with SCD are living longer as we continue to improve supportive care.…”

“…The economic burden to patients with SCD is significant [31][32][33][34][35]. Many patients are living in poverty with their illness due to chronic pain, and physical disability limiting their ability to work and contribute to society [13].…”