Developing alternative methods for determining the incidence, prevalence, and cost burden of coronary heart disease...

To determine the most appropriate methods for estimating the prevalence and incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD), the associated risk factors, and health care costs in a corporate setting.

Using medical insurance claims data for the period of 2005-2009 from 18 companies in the Thomson Reuters MarketScan reg database, we evaluated three alternative methods.

Prevalence of CHD ranged from 2.1% to 4.0% using a method requiring a second confirmatory claim. Annual incidence of CHD ranged from 1.0% to 1.6% using a method requiring 320 days of benefits enrollment in the previous year, and one claim for a diagnosis of CHD.

Alternative methods for determining the epidemiologic and cost burden of CHD using insurance claims data were explored. These methods can inform organizations that want to quantify the health and cost burden of various diseases common among an employed population.