Cost of hypertension control at the workplace.

A cost analysis of hypertension treatment at the workplace indicates that average patient cost in 1978 was $194.77. The distribution of cost is: clinical personnel, 26.7%; administrative personnel, 26.7%; drugs, 23.9%; laboratory, 3.4%; clinical supplies, 1.1%; general supplies and other operating expenses, 8.7%; equipment use, 1.0%; and rent, 2.6%. This aggregate cost is well below that reported for care provided in private practice and hospital outpatient department settings. The study further indicates that the constant dollar cost of care declines over the first three of four years and begins to stabilize at the fourth year. During the initial three-year period drug costs rise, but fewer revisits are required to attain and maintain blood pressure control. Drug utilization and the number of revisits per year stabilize at the fourth year.