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Costs of insuring preventive care
1Actuarial Research Corp., Annandale, VA 22003.
Summary
Implementing U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations for general populations may increase monthly health insurance costs by $1.21-$6.89 per employee. Medicare costs could rise by $3.99-$5.10 per enrollee monthly for preventive services.
Area of Science:
- Health economics
- Preventive medicine
- Health services research
Background:
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines for preventive care vary by risk factors.
- The cost implications of covering these USPSTF recommendations are not fully understood.
- Previous analyses often excluded general populations or focused on specific high-risk groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the cost of health insurance coverage for USPSTF preventive care recommendations.
- To analyze costs for the general population, excluding high-risk individuals.
- To provide data for policymakers and insurers regarding preventive service expenditures.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 1990 cost data for self-insured health plans.
- Estimation of cost increases per employee for individual and family coverage.
- Calculation of per-enrollee monthly costs for the Medicare program.
Main Results:
- Estimated monthly cost increase for self-insured plans: $4.35-$6.89 (family coverage), $1.21-$2.41 (individual coverage).
- Estimated monthly cost for Medicare: $3.99-$5.10 per enrollee.
- Costs are based on covering USPSTF recommendations for the general population.
Conclusions:
- Coverage of USPSTF preventive services represents a modest but quantifiable increase in healthcare costs.
- These findings can inform budget allocations and insurance premium adjustments.
- Further research may be needed to assess long-term cost-effectiveness and impact on high-risk groups.