Chronic conditions and medical expenditures among non-institutionalized adults in the United States.

INTRODUCTION

This study sought to examine medical expenditures among non-institutionalized adults in the United States with one or more chronic conditions.

METHOD

Using data from the 2010 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) Household Component (HC), we explored total and out-of-pocket medical, hospital, physician office, and prescription drug expenditures for non-institutionalized adults 18 and older with and without chronic conditions. We examined relationships between expenditure differences and predisposing, enabling, and need factors using recent, nationally representative data.

RESULTS

Individuals with chronic conditions experienced higher total spending than those with no chronic conditions, even after controlling for confounding factors. This relationship persisted with age. Out-of-pocket spending trends mirrored total expenditure trends across health care categories. Additional population characteristics that were associated with high health care expenditures were race/ethnicity, marital status, insurance status, and education.

CONCLUSIONS

The high costs associated with having one or more chronic conditions indicates a need for more robust interventions to target population groups who are most at risk.