Analysis of medical expenses of inpatients with diabetes: China's Eastern, Central, and Western regions (2013–2015)

Abstract

ObjectiveWith the continuing rise in the global incidence of diabetes, the prevention of diabetes and control of associated medical expenses has become a public health issue worldwide. This study aims to identify the medical expenses of patients with diabetes in different regions of China and examine the differences in inpatient medical expenses and the impacts of them on these patients. Study designThis study is a longitudinal analysis of medical expenses for inpatients with diabetes for different years; horizontal analysis of medical expenses among different regions; and literature review. MethodsData were derived from China's Medical Insurance Department database. We selected inpatients with diabetes in the eastern, central, and western regions of China for the period 2013–2015 and randomly selected data through systematic sampling. ResultsAmong the 4150 patients with diabetes considered in this study, the patients' medical expenses were found to differ significantly across regions, years, ages, medical insurance types, medical institution levels, total medical expenses, medical insurance fund payments, and out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses. In addition, there were significant differences in total medical expenses for male and female patients. Furthermore, medical insurance type, patients' age, medical institution level, and year significantly influenced total medical expenses. ConclusionsInpatients with diabetes in different regions exhibited significant differences in total medical expenses, medical insurance fund payments, and OOP expenses. China should invest more in chronic disease treatment in its central and western regions, narrow the regional differences in medical expenses, and endeavor to ensure equity in the availability and cost of medical services. Moreover, patients with diabetes must be encouraged to access primary care to reduce their medical expenses.