Age-Sex, Comorbidities, and Health Care Utilization of Individuals with Epilepsy Insured by Multiple U.S. Commercial Health Insurance Plans - A Descriptive Study (P07.115)

Abstract

Objective: The objectives were to show 1) age-sex distribution, 2) relative prevalence (%) of comorbidities, 3) overall health plan paid costs, and cost by claim type, gender, age-group and number of comorbidities, and 4) the most frequent diagnosis, procedures and drug names for individuals with epilepsy. Background Cost Analysis. Design/Methods: This is a population-based descriptive study. Membership and health insurance claims data for individuals with epilepsy with insurance from one of 10 different US commercial health plans were analyzed for year 2010. Results: The study population consisted of n=8,842 individuals (52% females and 48% males). The average age was 35 years. Fifty percent (50%) of the study population had >=1 of the 30 comorbidities considered. Psychiatric diagnosis, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, asthma, and diabetes were the top 5 most prevalent comorbidities. The average health plan per member per month (PMPM) paid was $1,113 (SEM=+47) of which $875 was for medical and $238 was for pharmacy claims. The average costs for female and male were similar (P>0.05). The health plan paid cost was significantly associated with number of comorbidities (r=+0.21;P Conclusions: The study population with epilepsy had 52% females and 48% males, and 50% had >=1 comorbidities. The average health plan paid cost (PMPM) for epilepsy patients in 2010 was $1,113. Individuals with epilepsy utilized health care resources primarily for convulsions/ seizures and their treatments were focused on controlling seizures, pain, and infections. Supported by: Accordant Health Services, A Caremark Company. Disclosure: Dr. Wilner has received personal compensation for activities with Accordant Health Services as a consultant. Dr. Wilner has received (royalty or license fee or contractual rights) payments from Demos Publications. Dr. Wilner holds stock and/or stock options in GlaxoSmithKline, Inc. Dr. Wilner has received research support from Accordant Health Services. Dr. Sharma has received personal compensation for activities with Caremark Company. Ms. Soucy has received personal compensation for activities with Accordant Health Services as an employee. Dr. Krueger has received personal compensation for activities with Caremark Company as an employee.