Health care expenditures in ulcerative colitis: the perspective of a self-insured employer.

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the incidence, prevalence, treatment patterns, disease severity, and direct costs associated with ulcerative colitis (UC) for claimants in health plans offered by a large self-insured employer in the United States. Retrospective analysis of medical claims with and without UC identified from a population of approximately 500,000 employees, retirees, and dependents. Costs for UC claimants were more than twice those for the comparator group ($14,486 vs $6158; P < 0.005). Total health care costs for the severe disease cohort were double those of the mild or moderate cohorts ($26,875 vs $12,154 and $12,731), as were inpatient costs ($13,516 vs $3235 and $2244). The annual incremental cost of treating severe disease was $6812 (P < 0.005) compared with mild UC. UC is a significant predictor of increased medical costs with severe disease, driven mainly by inpatient costs.