Costs of care and financial hardship among patients with heart failure

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Health Economics
• Patient-Reported Outcomes

Background:

• Heart failure (HF) is increasingly managed as a chronic condition due to therapeutic advancements.
• Rising out-of-pocket (OOP) medical costs create a substantial financial burden for HF patients.
• Limited data exists on the specific financial hardships experienced by heart failure patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the patient perspective on financial hardship in heart failure.
• To estimate OOP costs associated with HF treatments and hospitalizations.
• To identify the consequences of high OOP costs on patient care and outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing studies on OOP costs in heart failure.
• Analysis of direct medical costs, including guideline-directed medical therapy and hospitalizations.
• Exploration of patient cost preferences and the impact of financial toxicity.

Main Results:

• High OOP costs are prevalent in heart failure, with prescription drugs being a major contributor.
• Financial burden can lead to decreased medication adherence and delayed medical care.
• These factors contribute to a cycle of worsening health and increased financial toxicity.

Conclusions:

• The financial toxicity associated with heart failure management significantly impacts patient well-being and treatment adherence.
• Further research is needed to develop evidence-based strategies for cost reduction in HF care.
• Understanding patient cost preferences is essential for designing effective financial support solutions.