A national study of medical care expenditures for respiratory conditions.

This study was undertaken to estimate the magnitude of medical care expenditures among persons with respiratory conditions in the USA in 1996, and the increment in expenditures attributable to these conditions. The study data were derived from the 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, a national sample of 21,571 persons. Of the 21,571, 1,027 reported one or more respiratory condition. After weighting, the individuals may represent about 12.1 million persons in the USA. All medical care expenditures of these individuals were tabulated, stratified by comorbidity status, and then compared to those among persons with nonrespiratory conditions or with no conditions. Regression techniques were then used to estimate the increment of healthcare expenditures attributable to the respiratory conditions. From a national total of $45.3 billion, medical care expenditures averaged $3,753 among persons with respiratory conditions. Hospital stays comprised the largest component (45%). The per capita increment in total expenditures attributable to respiratory conditions ranged from $1,003-2,588, from a national total ranging from $12.1-31.3 billion. The total medical care expenditure of persons with respiratory conditions was estimated to be $45.3 billion, of which $12.1-31.3 billion represents an increment in expenditures associated with the conditions themselves.