OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and economic burden of COPD patients to Medicaid. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, observational matched cohort design. METHODS: We calculated the incremental costs incurred and medical resources used by COPD patients relative to those without COPD. Data were obtained from 8 Medicaid states during 2003-2007. COPD patients were defined as Medicaid beneficiaries ≥40 years with a COPD diagnosis (ICD-9 CM: 491.xx, 492.xx, 496.xx) and treated with maintenance drugs for COPD. Patients were matched (1:3) to Medicaid beneficiaries without a COPD diagnosis on age, gender, race, index year, Medicare/Medicaid dual eligibility, and use of long-term care. Results were stratified by Medicare/Medicaid dual eligibility status and race. RESULTS: A total of 10,221 COPD and 30,663 non-COPD patients were included. Cohorts were on average 65 years of age, 80% White, and 64.8% having Medicare/Medicaid dual eligibility. Inpatient hospitalizations and home healthcare visits/durable medical equipment were primary drivers of incremental medical costs. COPD patients were more than twice as likely to have a hospitalization (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 2.32 [2.19, 2.45]) or home healthcare visit/durable medical equipment (2.95 [2.82, 3.08]) compared to non-COPD patients. Medicaid incurred $2118/year in incremental costs due to COPD. On average, incremental costs were 7 times greater for non-dual-eligible patients ($4917) compared to dual-eligible patients ($667), and were more than double for Blacks compared to Whites ($4141 vs $1593). CONCLUSION: COPD imposes a substantial economic and clinical burden on the Medicaid program; this burden differs by dual eligibility status and race.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and economic burden of COPDpatients to Medicaid. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, observational matched cohort design. METHODS: We calculated the incremental costs incurred and medical resources used by COPDpatients relative to those without COPD. Data were obtained from 8 Medicaid states during 2003-2007. COPDpatients were defined as Medicaid beneficiaries ≥40 years with a COPD diagnosis (ICD-9 CM: 491.xx, 492.xx, 496.xx) and treated with maintenance drugs for COPD. Patients were matched (1:3) to Medicaid beneficiaries without a COPD diagnosis on age, gender, race, index year, Medicare/Medicaid dual eligibility, and use of long-term care. Results were stratified by Medicare/Medicaid dual eligibility status and race. RESULTS: A total of 10,221 COPD and 30,663 non-COPDpatients were included. Cohorts were on average 65 years of age, 80% White, and 64.8% having Medicare/Medicaid dual eligibility. Inpatient hospitalizations and home healthcare visits/durable medical equipment were primary drivers of incremental medical costs. COPDpatients were more than twice as likely to have a hospitalization (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 2.32 [2.19, 2.45]) or home healthcare visit/durable medical equipment (2.95 [2.82, 3.08]) compared to non-COPDpatients. Medicaid incurred $2118/year in incremental costs due to COPD. On average, incremental costs were 7 times greater for non-dual-eligible patients ($4917) compared to dual-eligible patients ($667), and were more than double for Blacks compared to Whites ($4141 vs $1593). CONCLUSION:COPD imposes a substantial economic and clinical burden on the Medicaid program; this burden differs by dual eligibility status and race.
Authors: Taulant Muka; David Imo; Loes Jaspers; Veronica Colpani; Layal Chaker; Sven J van der Lee; Shanthi Mendis; Rajiv Chowdhury; Wichor M Bramer; Abby Falla; Raha Pazoki; Oscar H Franco Journal: Eur J Epidemiol Date: 2015-01-18 Impact factor: 8.082