Debra Lerner1, William H Rogers, Hong Chang, Angie Mae Rodday, Annabel Greenhill, Victor G Villagra, James R Antetomaso, Aarti A Patel, Lien Vo. 1. From the Program on Health, Work and Productivity (Drs Lerner, Rogers, and Chang, Ms Rodday, and Ms Greenhill), Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA; National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (Dr Villagra and Mr Antetomaso), Arlington, VA; and Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC (Dr Patel and Dr Vo), Raritan, N.J.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the cost of back and/or neck (B/N) pain among predominantly rural employees insured through an employee benefits trust. METHODS: Eligible employees had 1 year or more of medical coverage and completed a survey subsequently linked to their claims data. B/N pain costs consisted of medical and pharmacy claims, over-the-counter expenses, and presenteeism and absenteeism costs valued according to median occupational earnings. RESULTS: Of 1342 eligible employees, 52.7% currently had B/N pain of which 87.9% was chronic. The average annualized cost of B/N pain per employee was $1727; 56.1% was due to lost productivity. Covered medical care was utilized by 35.6% of employees, 55.7% used pharmacy care, and 71.6% purchased uncovered over-the-counter pain medication. CONCLUSIONS: Many covered employees did not use formal care. The effect of care choices on productivity costs requires closer scrutiny.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the cost of back and/or neck (B/N) pain among predominantly rural employees insured through an employee benefits trust. METHODS: Eligible employees had 1 year or more of medical coverage and completed a survey subsequently linked to their claims data. B/N pain costs consisted of medical and pharmacy claims, over-the-counter expenses, and presenteeism and absenteeism costs valued according to median occupational earnings. RESULTS: Of 1342 eligible employees, 52.7% currently had B/N pain of which 87.9% was chronic. The average annualized cost of B/N pain per employee was $1727; 56.1% was due to lost productivity. Covered medical care was utilized by 35.6% of employees, 55.7% used pharmacy care, and 71.6% purchased uncovered over-the-counter pain medication. CONCLUSIONS: Many covered employees did not use formal care. The effect of care choices on productivity costs requires closer scrutiny.
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