Economic status of families living with multiple sclerosis.

A nation-wide survey of 604 families living with multiple sclerosis was conducted. The sample was recruited through local chapters of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the public press. This paper describes the economic impact of the disease on families. There were 427 families in which the woman had multiple sclerosis and 177 families in which the man had the disease. The average duration of the disease was 10 years. Family income was well above the national median income. Thirty-nine per cent of the men and 19% of the women with multiple sclerosis retired because of disability. Income was inadequate to pay for medical expenses in 21% of the families and 25% had inadequate funds to meet basic living expenses. While 80% of the families had health care insurance, for 28% of the families the insurance was inadequate to cover the cost of their illness. The number of children living at home and the amount of health care bills paid out-of-pocket failed to explain why families in the high income group had difficulty meeting their expenses. Factors other than income and proportion of medical expenses covered by insurance determine the economic impact on the family. If health care providers are going to meet all the needs of a family living with multiple sclerosis, a more comprehensive assessment of their economic status is needed.