Ectopic pregnancy in the United States: economic consequences and payment source trends

To estimate the annual direct and indirect costs of ectopic pregnancy in the United States and to examine trends in payment source.

We analyzed hospital discharge data for 1982-1989 from a San Francisco hospital and California statewide data for 1983-1987 to estimate direct medical care costs and to determine payment sources. Examination of national labor data was used to compute indirect cost.

The total cost of ectopic pregnancy in 1990 was estimated to be nearly $1.1 billion. Direct costs of hospitalization and other medical treatment contributed 77% of the total costs, with average hospital costs estimated to be $6079, hospitalization-related physician fees $3254, and average outpatient costs $149, for a total direct cost-per-case of $9482. Of the total indirect costs ($250.5 million), 67% was attributed to the value of lost wages and the remainder to the lost value of household management. Public payment sources covered the largest portion of ectopic pregnancy-related direct costs among women aged 19 and younger (35%), but private insurance covered the largest portion among women aged 20-29 (32%) and women aged 30 and older (43%). In general, the proportion of payments made by private insurance has decreased, while the proportion of payments made by public pay sources and health maintenance organizations and preferred provider organizations has increased.

Ectopic pregnancy results in a substantial economic burden, with an increasing share of direct costs being borne by public pay sources. Appropriate use of cost-effective management approaches can reduce costs, while preventive measures that decrease the risk of ectopic pregnancy can both save resources and, more important, spare human suffering.