Direct diabetes-related healthcare expenditures in Slovenia: recent evolution and future projections based on population-level data

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective The burden of diabetes on individuals, healthcare systems, and society must be explored to improve and sustain diabetes care. With this aim, we estimated both past and future diabetes-related direct health expenditures in Slovenia. Methods Analysis of expenditures from the healthcare payer perspective during the 2019–2022 period was based on individual patient data on expenditures for seven groups of diabetes-related medical conditions from the population-level database of the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia. Expenditure projections were prepared using the European Commission’s methodology for budgetary projections. Results In the 2019–2022 period, average annual diabetes-related expenditures equaled €174.1 million (€1,108 per patient), with their average annual growth rate reaching 12.5%. Expenditures due to inpatient care (33%) and drugs used in diabetes (24%) had the highest shares. More than half of the expenditures were due to complications of diabetes. The diabetes-related expenditures as a share of GDP are projected to increase by 19.2% from 2019 to 2030, with slower yet continued growth up to 2050. Conclusions Diabetes-related expenditures in Slovenia continue to rise. By focusing on the prevention and optimal management of diabetes, its impact on the healthcare system could be reduced significantly, given the magnitude of expenditures attributed to complications.