Menstuff® has compiled the following information on the cost
of medical conditions.
The 15 Most Expensive Medical Conditions
Treating heart disease cost Americans $58 billion in 1997, making it the single most expensive item on the country's health care bill, followed by cancer, trauma, and mental disorders.
In a new report, researchers analyzed the cost of health care for some of the most common medical problems and came up with the top 15 costliest conditions for the 1997 calendar year. They found that although lung disorders like asthma affected the most Americans (41 million), the cost of treating lung conditions only ranked fifth on the list at $29 billion.
In comparison, the 17 million people diagnosed with heart disease spent $58 billion, 9 million cancer patients spent $46 billion, 37 million who suffered a traumatic injury spent $44 billion, and 20 million with mental disorders shelled out $30 billion.
Not surprising, researchers say the study found that many of the conditions in the top 15 are chronic diseases that require long-term care. Their findings appear in the current issue of Health Affairs.
Rounding out the top 15 were the following conditions (listed with their annual associated price tag and number of Americans affected):
|
Condition |
|
|
|
|
Diabetes |
$20 billion |
10 million |
$2,000 |
|
Hypertension (high blood pressure) |
$18 billion |
27 million |
$667 |
|
Stroke-related conditions |
$16 billion |
2 million |
$8,000 |
|
Osteoarthritis |
$16 billion |
16 million |
$1,000 |
|
Pneumonia |
$16 billion |
4 million |
$4,000 |
|
Back problems |
$13 billion |
13 million |
$1,000 |
|
Kidney disease |
$10 billion |
2 million |
$5,000 |
|
Endocrine disorders |
$10 billion |
18 million |
$556 |
|
Skin disorders |
$9 billion |
20 million |
$450 |
|
Infectious diseases |
$6 billion |
16 million |
$375 |
Researchers Joel W. Cohen and Nancy A. Krauss at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality say private insurance paid for about 35% of the expenses for the top five conditions, and Medicare covered nearly 45% of heart disease expenses, 20-25% of cancer costs, and 16% of expenses related to treating mental disorders.
Out-of-pocket expenses were highest for high blood pressure, for
which sufferers paid about 30% of their own costs -- largely due to
prescription drug expenses.
Source: Jennifer Warner, Health Affairs, Vol.
22 No. 2, 2003
Disclaimer - Information is designed for educational purposes
only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional
services. Any medical decisions should be made in conjunction with
your physician. We will not be liable for any complications, injuries
or other medical accidents arising from or in connection with, the
use of or reliance upon any information on the web.
 |