Variations in Health Care Utilization Patterns Among Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients at Risk for High Medical...

Area of Science:

• Health Economics
• Patient Financial Burden
• Chronic Disease Management

Background:

• High-deductible health plans (HDHPs) are increasingly used to control healthcare costs by limiting nonessential services.
• HDHPs can lead to financial distress and poorer health outcomes due to high cost-sharing.
• Chronic disease patients may delay or forgo care because of healthcare costs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of HDHPs on healthcare costs and utilization patterns among patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
• To determine if HDHPs shift healthcare costs to patients and affect the timing of medical services.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort analysis of IBD patients enrolled in HDHPs versus traditional health plans (THPs) from 2009-2016.
• Comparison of annual out-of-pocket costs and total healthcare expenses between plan groups.
• Time series analysis to evaluate temporal trends in office visits, colonoscopies, ED visits, and hospitalizations.

Main Results:

• Annual out-of-pocket costs were significantly higher for HDHP enrollees ($2870) compared to THP enrollees ($1864).
• Total healthcare expenses did not differ significantly between HDHP and THP groups.
• HDHP enrollment altered the timing of colonoscopies, ED visits, and hospitalizations.

Conclusions:

• HDHPs shift healthcare costs to patients but do not alter the overall cost of care.
• HDHPs incentivize delays in seeking medical care, potentially leading to adverse health outcomes and financial hardship.
• Further research is needed to fully understand the long-term consequences of HDHPs on patient health and financial well-being.