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Cost Analysis of Hospitalization for COVID-19 in a Brazilian Public Teaching Hospital
Fernanda Ferreira de Sousa1, Bruno Barbosa Vieira2, Augusto da Cunha Reis3
1Juiz de Fora Federal University Hospital (HU-UFJF/Ebserh), Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Insights
Hospitalization costs for COVID-19 cases in Brazil averaged US$11,260, with detectable cases costing US$17,178. The Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) payments were insufficient to cover these expenses.
Area of Science:
- Health Economics
- Public Health Policy
- Infectious Disease Management
Background:
- COVID-19 pandemic led to significant healthcare expenditures globally.
- Accurate cost assessment is crucial for resource allocation and policy-making in public health systems.
- Understanding hospitalization costs informs future pandemic preparedness and response strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure hospitalization costs for suspect or confirmed COVID-19 cases in Brazil.
- To aggregate knowledge on the costing process for future research.
- To evaluate the adequacy of Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) remuneration for COVID-19 hospitalizations.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study utilizing data from April to September 2020 (first wave in Brazil).
- Absorption costing technique applied from a hospital perspective.
- Data sourced from Hospital Information System and SUS Cost Calculation and Management System.
Main Results:
- Average total hospitalization cost for suspect or confirmed COVID-19 cases was US$11,260 (R$63,504).
- Average cost for detectable COVID-19 cases was US$17,178 (R$96,886).
- Hospitalized patients were predominantly male (51%), mean age 59, white (64%), with an average stay of 9 days.
Conclusions:
- SUS remuneration for COVID-19 hospitalizations was insufficient to cover actual costs.
- Study provides data for health managers to assess the adequacy of SUS payments.
- Findings offer lessons learned for public health systems managing future pandemics.
Objectives:
This study aimed to measure the hospitalization costs for suspect or confirmation cases of COVID-19 and aggregate knowledge in the costing process for future research on related topics.
Methods:
A cost calculation model was applied using absorption costing technique. Cost was allocated into 2 main groups: hospitalization and personnel. The cost analysis considers the hospital perspective. This is a retrospective study whose data were collected between April and September 2020, equivalent to the first wave of the disease in Brazil. This research uses data from Hospital Information System, Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) Cost Calculation and Management System, and SUS Hospital Information System.
Results:
The average total cost per hospitalization was US$11 260 (R$63 504) for patients suspect or confirmed by COVID-19, and considering only detectable cases, the value was US$17 178 (R$96 886). The profile of hospitalized patients was male (51%), with a mean age of 59 years, white ethnicity (64%), and average length of stay of 9 days.
Conclusions:
The amount approved by SUS for remuneration of hospitalizations by COVID-19 proved to be insufficient to cover the calculated costs. The results of this study collaborate to measure the expenditure of hospital institutions with COVID-19 hospitalizations, contribute as a parameter for health managers to identify whether the values attributed to hospitalization by COVID-19 by the SUS are adequate to cover all costs involved, and provide lessons learned on costs to the public health system in the event of new pandemics.
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