Direct Medical Costs of COPD in the USA: An Analysis of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey 2017–2018

Aim In this study, we aimed to provide a nationally representative estimate of the economic burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by examining direct medical costs among individuals aged 45 years and older in the USA. Methods Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (2017–2018) data were used to estimate the direct medical costs associated with COPD. All-cause (unadjusted) cost and COPD-specific (adjusted) cost were determined for the various service categories using a regression-based approach among patients with COPD. We developed a weighted two-part model and adjusted for various demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical characteristics. Results The study sample consisted of 23,590 patients, of which 1073 had COPD. Patients with COPD had a mean age of 67.4 years (standard error (SE): 0.41), and the total all-cause mean medical cost per patient per year (PPPY) was 2018 US $19,449 (SE: US $865), of which US $6145 (SE: US $295) was for prescription drugs. Using the regression approach, the mean total COPD-specific cost was US $4322 (SE: US $577) PPPY, with prescription drugs contributing US $1887 (SE: 216) PPPY. These results represented an annual total COPD-specific cost of US $24.0 billion, with prescription drugs contributing US $10.5 billion. The mean annual out-of-pocket spending accounted for 7.5% (mean: US $325) of the total COPD-specific cost; for COPD-specific prescription drug cost, 11.3% (mean: US $212) was out-of-pocket cost. Conclusion COPD poses a significant economic burden on healthcare payers and patients 45 years of age and older in the USA. While prescription drugs accounted for almost half of the total cost, more than 10% of the prescription drug cost was out-of-pocket.