Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Medical Expenditures Among Medicare Fee-for-Service Beneficiaries Aged ≥67 Years With Diabetes
Authors' conclusion
COVID-19 had a significant impact on both total and per capita medical expenditures among Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes. The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with lower OOP expenditures.
Study context
- Population
- Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries with diabetes (identified by ICD-10 codes), 100% Medicare FFS claims
- Exposure
- COVID-19 period vs pre-COVID-19 period
- Outcome
- Quarterly total and OOP medical expenditures, population and per capita, in total and by service type
Methodological details100% Medicare fee-for-service claims, quarterly expenditure comparison
- 100% Medicare fee-for-service claims
- Quarterly expenditure comparison
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Population total expenditure, 1st pandemic quarter vs same prepandemic quarter
$33.6 billion vs $41.7 billion
Population total expenditure, 4th quarter of 2nd pandemic year
$36.8 billion
Per capita total expenditure, 1st pandemic quarter vs same prepandemic quarter
$5,356 vs $6,500
Per capita total expenditure, 4th quarter of 2nd pandemic year vs same prepandemic quarter
$6,096 vs $5,982
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditures
- Both population and per capita OOP expenditures were lower during the pandemic than prepandemic
Per capita expenditure by service type
- Changes between pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 periods by service type varied
Original publication
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