Insurance Data Research Articles

Assessing the dependence between extreme rainfall and extreme insurance claims: A bivariate peak over threshold method.

Climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. For insurance companies, it is essential to identify and quantify extreme climate risk. They must set aside enough capital reserve to bear the costs of extreme events, otherwise, they can be put in a danger of facing bankruptcy. In this article, I employ the state-of-the-art bivariate peak over threshold method to study the dependence between extreme rain events and extreme insurance claims. I utilize a novel insurance data set on home insurance claims related to rainfall-induced damage in Norway and select two large Norwegian municipalities to investigate the impact of heavy rain on large claim numbers. Based on the model estimates and tail dependence measures, I find evidence that extremely high numbers of insurance claims have the strongest dependence with rainfall intensity and daily rain amounts. I also identify the region-specific difference in rainfall variables as a key indicator of home insurance risk. The findings offer insights into the complex dynamics between extreme rainfall and extreme claim numbers in home insurance. Contributing to the long-term sustainability of the insurance industry, the proposed method facilitates the development of tailor-made pricing models and robust capital reserve management in the face of changingclimate.

Risk of mood disorders after epilepsy diagnosis: A nationwide retrospective cohort study in South Korea.

ObjectiveEpilepsy is a globally prevalent neurological condition, significantly associated with mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder. This study analyzed the prevalence of and hazard ratios for mood disorders, as well as risk factors, among patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy using comprehensive South Korean national health data.MethodHealth insurance and health examination data (2004-2013) were utilized in this retrospective cohort study. Patients newly diagnosed with epilepsy based on International Classification of Diseases-10th revision codes and without mood disorder history were included. The mean follow-up duration was 3.57 years and 4.07 years for the epilepsy and control cohorts, respectively. Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for demographic and health variables were used to estimate the risk of developing mood disorders post-epilepsy diagnosis.ResultsA total of 2210 patients with epilepsy and 22,100 matched controls without epilepsy were included. Patients exhibited a 3-fold increased risk of developing mood disorders compared with controls (incidence rate ratio: 3.10 [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.75-3.49]). The risk was highest in the first two years post-diagnosis (adjusted hazard ratio: 3.42 [95% CI: 2.90-4.03]). A notable increase in risk was also observed 8-10 years post-diagnosis (adjusted hazard ratio: 3.07 [(95% CI: 1.14-8.22]), indicating a sustained long-term risk.ConclusionsEpilepsy significantly increases the risk of mood disorders, with the highest risk observed shortly after diagnosis. Continuous monitoring and tailored interventions are essential for managing patients' mental health. Integrated care approaches are needed to treat epilepsy and associated mood disorders.

Dopaminergic medications as a preventive for myopia: insights derived from pediatric patients diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

This study investigated the impact of dopaminergic medications on myopia progression by comparing myopia susceptibility in ADHD patients treated with dopaminergic agents to those untreated. A non-ADHD cohort was also established to assess myopia risk compared to individuals with ADHD. This population-based cohort study used Taiwan National Health Insurance data (2009-2020), stratifying participants by ADHD status. Myopia was identified using ICD-10 diagnostic codes, while ADHD-related drug usage (methylphenidate, atomoxetine, clonidine) was analyzed. Cox regression models compared hazard ratios (HRs) for myopia, with cumulative incidence curves generated via the Kaplan-Meier method. Adjusting for sex, age, comorbidities, and follow-up time, the untreated ADHD cohort had a 1.22-fold higher myopia risk (95% CI: 1.21-1.24) compared to the non-ADHD cohort. In contrast, ADHD patients receiving treatment showed a 39% reduced myopia risk (adjusted HR (aHR): 0.61; 95% CI: 0.59-0.62). An increased number of ADHD-related medications correlated with a notable myopia risk reduction: one drug (aHR: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.49-0.51) and two drugs (aHR: 0.28; 95% CI: 0.26-0.31). Untreated ADHD in children is linked to a higher myopia risk than both non-ADHD individuals and treated ADHD patients. Dopaminergic treatments may provide a therapeutic avenue for mitigating myopia progression by enhancing dopamine signaling pathways. Key messages What is already known on this topic Dopamine release in the retina inhibits myopia progression, and ADHD is linked to dopaminergic dysfunction. ADHD treatments like methylphenidate enhance dopamine signaling, but their effect on myopia risk has not been thoroughly studied. What this study adds This study shows that untreated ADHD children have a higher risk of myopia, while dopaminergic treatments significantly reduce this risk. The use of multiple ADHD medications further strengthens the protective effect. How this study might affect research, practice or policy These findings suggest that ADHD treatments may serve as a new approach for myopia prevention, encouraging cross-field research and consideration of systemic therapies for managing comorbid conditions.

Factors Associated with Combination Therapy Involving Traditional Korean Medicine in Pediatric Allergic Rhinitis Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study Using National Health Insurance Data

Background/Objectives: Allergic rhinitis (AR) significantly affects patients’ quality of life and poses a substantial burden on healthcare systems worldwide, with its prevalence rising among pediatric populations. This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with the use of combination therapy involving traditional Korean medicine (KM) and conventional medicine in pediatric AR patients using large-scale health insurance data from South Korea. Methods: Data from 696,182 pediatric patients diagnosed with AR between 2018 and 2021 were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to identify factors influencing KM therapy utilization. Results: Among these, 61,745 patients received KM combination therapy. The key predictors of KM combination therapy utilization included school-age children, the winter season, and comorbidities such as rhinitis and atopic dermatitis. Patients receiving KM combination therapy had longer treatment durations and incurred higher healthcare costs compared to those on conventional therapy alone. Additionally, seasonal variations and demographic factors, including a decline in KM use during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, were observed. Conclusions: The findings suggest that integrating KM into pediatric AR treatment may offer potential benefits, especially for children with comorbidities or during the winter months. These insights could guide the development of targeted healthcare policies and strategies to optimize treatment outcomes for pediatric AR patients.

Burden of COVID-19 in immunocompromised patients in Germany: a retrospective, observational Study on Health Insurance Data from 2021 to 2022.

Patients with COVID-19 and immunocompromising conditions are threatened with higher morbidity, mortality and a greater economic burden than immunocompetent persons due to an inadequate immune response to infection and vaccination. Health and economic COVID-19 outcomes in 2021 and 2022, a period during which vaccines became available gradually, were investigated. This retrospective observational study was based on statutory health insurance (SHI) claims data of approximately 2.7 million insurees each of 2021 and 2022, extrapolated to the overall German SHI population. An immunocompromised group was defined via several risk factors. COVID-19-related outcomes were compared to a group without risk factors (immunocompetent group). In both years, COVID-19-associated hospitalizations were significantly elevated in the immunocompromised group (33.11% vs 7.88% in 2021, 19.25% vs 2.21% in 2022), as were ICU admission (9.17% vs 1.75% and 3.94% vs 0.32%), mortality (9.70% vs 1.62% and 3.42% vs 0.30%), and average costs for hospitalizations (17,966 € vs 12,769 € and 16,640 € vs 10,853 €). Hospitalization/intensive care unit (ICU) admission rates and COVID-19 associated mortality decreased from 2021 to 2022 in both groups, but more prominently in the immunocompetent group. Consequently, the gap between both groups increased. From 2021 to 2022, the health and economic burden of COVID-19 remained substantially elevated in the immunocompromised group, despite availability of vaccines and authorized treatments.

Economic costs and medications for diabetes in older patients in Beijing, China: electronic insurance data analysis

BackgroundWith the aging of population, the proportion of elderly patients with diabetes is gradually increasing, which poses challenges in the management and treatment of diabetes in this population.MethodsThe aim of the study was to investigate the temporal changes in the treatment regimens and medical expenditures in older patients with diabetes in Beijing, China. Data of patients with diabetes from the Beijing Medical Insurance Database with medical records from 2016 to 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Primary and secondary outcomes included the number of medications, comorbidities, diabetes-related complications, the estimated annual drug cost, the treatment strategies for elderly diabetic patients, and the classes of drugs prescribed.ResultsData of 598,440 patients with diabetes in 2018 revealed that 49.8% of the recruited patients were female among elderly patients (>65 years old). The most common comorbidity was hypertension (87.6%). Over the 3 years, about 4.51 medications, including 1.88 antiglycemic drugs and 2.63 non-antiglycemic drugs were prescribed in elderly patients. The mean total annual medication cost was ¥12,186 ($1,676), including ¥6,116 ($841) for antiglycemic drugs and ¥6,070 ($835) for non-antiglycemic drugs. Hypertension (cost ¥4,658, $640, mean medications 2.12 for elderly patients), dyslipidemia (¥5,044, $693, 1.70), and coronary heart disease (¥4,004, $550, 1.40) were the top three diseases that caused the increase in the cost and medications. Over the 3 years, more than 94% of elderly diabetic patients received at least one type of antiglycemic drugs, and the α-glucosidase inhibitors and premixed insulin are the most commonly prescribed hypoglycemic drugs and insulin, respectively.ConclusionDiabetes management in older patients faces challenges due to extensive variability. Medication analysis in this study found that the current situation of comprehensive control of diabetes in elderly patients is worrying, and the complexity of their medication is still on the increasing trend. It is important to select more appropriate antiglycemic drugs to economically benefit the patients and to control the progression of complications.

Real-world utilization patterns and survival in men with metastatic prostate cancer treated with Radium-223 in the United States

Abstract Background The treatment landscape for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) has evolved since radium-223 (Ra-223) was approved in the United States (2013). We examined treatment patterns and real-world overall survival (rwOS) of men with mCRPC treated with Ra-223 in the modern treatment era. Methods A retrospective cohort of men treated with Ra-223 was derived using private insurance data from the Komodo Health dataset from January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2022. Cox-regression analyses examined associations between Ra-223 use and rwOS with adjustment for covariates. Results Of 1376 men, the median age was 68 years, 51% were White, and 89% had bone-only metastases. Overall, 17%, 35%, and 25% of men received Ra-223 as first-line, second-line, or third-line treatment for mCRPC, respectively. Thirty-six percent received Ra-223 as combination/layered therapy, mainly with enzalutamide, and 46% completed ≥5 cycles. Overall, median rwOS was 22.9 months. Median rwOS was longer in men who completed ≥5 Ra-223 cycles versus 1–4 cycles (30.3 versus 15.3 months) and combination/layered therapy versus monotherapy (26.6 versus 20.5 months). Combination/layered therapy and completion of ≥5 Ra-223 cycles were associated with 22% and 55% reductions in risk of death in adjusted analyses, respectively. Limitations include some clinical information not captured by claims databases. Conclusions Significant rwOS benefits were identified in men who received Ra-223 as an earlier line of therapy, received Ra-223 in combination with another therapy, and completed ≥5 Ra-223 cycles, underscoring the importance of Ra-223 in the current treatment landscape.

Linked survey and statutory health insurance data evaluating healthcare utilization patterns and associated factors of persons with diabetes in Germany – latent class analysis

Persons with diabetes mellitus have complex healthcare needs. Existing disease management programmes (DMPs) are based on a one-size-fits-all approach. However, individuals might require more individualised care. This study aims to identify groups with different patterns of healthcare utilization among people with diabetes in Germany and factors associated with these different patterns. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a random sample from a statutory health insurance (SHI) with diabetes (n = 1332) and linked to longitudinal SHI data. Latent class analysis was used to identify subgroups with similar patterns of healthcare utilization and factors associated with different patterns. Four patterns of healthcare utilization were identified among people with diabetes: ‘low users’ (20.8% of the total sample); ‘low users with ophthalmologist visit’ (45.2%); ‘high users’ (26.5%); and ‘high users with mental health care’ (7.5%). The classes differed significantly in age, sex, type, duration and severity of diabetes, DMP membership, diabetes training, health-related quality of life, and prevalence of depression. The ‘high users with mental health care’ class was for example younger, more female, had a lower quality of life and the highest prevalence of depression. This study may provide a first basis for thinking about targeted care in Germany beyond DMPs.

The Center for Surgical Health (CSH): A Surgical Equity Intervention in Plastic Surgery.

The Center for Surgical Health (CSH) works to improve surgical access for under-resourced communities in Philadelphia via patient navigation services. This study defined the social profiles, clinical needs, and satisfaction of patients engaging with the Plastic and Hand Surgery (PHS) division of CSH. Patients referred from June 2019 to October 2024 were included. Eligible patients received NE2AR support: navigation, education, empowerment, access to payers and providers, and screening for legal and social referrals. Patient demographic, insurance, and clinical data were collected and summarized using descriptive statistics. After completion of CSH services, all patients were surveyed to assess satisfaction with navigators and seven domains of the surgical care accessed through CSH using items from the National Cancer Institute Patient Satisfaction Navigator Interpersonal Survey and the RAND Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire-18, two validated patient satisfaction surveys. PHS satisfaction scores were compared to non-PHS patients using two-sided t tests. Of 1146 referrals to CSH, 128 (11.2%) were for PHS. The procedures sought included post-traumatic upper extremity (27.3%) and facial reconstruction (7.0%), gender-affirming surgery (25.0%), and lesion excision (22.7%). Most patients identified as Hispanic/Latinx (35.9%) or Black (36.2%), and 33.6% were primarily Spanish-speaking. A majority of referred patients (74.6%) did not have insurance at the time of referral. Sixty-three patients (49.2%) were eligible for CSH services. Navigators predominantly applied for state-based insurance, including Emergency Medical Assistance (70.1%) and Medicaid (17.7%). PHS patients were highly satisfied with navigators (mean, 38.3; SD, 6.3; max, 45) but were dissatisfied with the Financial Aspects (mean, 2.5; SD, 1.1; max, 5) and Accessibility/Convenience (mean, 3.4; SD, 0.8; max, 5) care domains. PHS patients were less satisfied with Financial Aspects relative to non-PHS patients (mean, 3.27; SD, 0.1; P = 0.02). CSH navigators provided NE2AR surgical navigation for primarily uninsured and historically marginalized PHS patients and increased access to a variety of surgeries that would be otherwise difficult or impossible to obtain. Although PHS patients were generally satisfied, the results highlight persistent barriers for underresourced groups.

501 A Nationwide Survey of Burn Survivors: Who Is at Greatest Risk for Financial Toxicity?

Abstract Introduction The financial burden patients face due to healthcare costs is known as financial toxicity. Burn survivors are at high risk for financial toxicity given that their injuries can result in significant disability, lead to ongoing chronic medical issues, and often require treatment with multiple surgeries. Our study aim was to identify risk factors for financial toxicity in a nationwide sample of burn survivors. We hypothesized that financial toxicity would be more common in the first few years after burn injury. Methods A survey was distributed through the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors to adult burn survivors across the US (March-June 2023). The survey elicited demographics, burn history, treatment history, long-term difficulties faced, and unmet needs. We considered a survivor to have financial toxicity if they reported ‘financial assistance’ as one of their three greatest unmet needs or ‘impact of injury on employment/income opportunities’ as one of their three greatest long-term difficulties. Chi-square test for association and multiple binary logistic regression analyses were performed. Results There were 178 respondents. The majority were female (60%), >54 years old (51%), White (75%), and had >20% total body surface area (TBSA) burns (75%). Twelve percent of survivors were < 1 year removed from injury, 17% 1-3 years, 11% 4-6 years, 7% 7-10 years, 14% 11-20 years, and 39% >20 years. In terms of prior procedures, 90% had surgery, 85% skin grafting, and 41% laser therapy. The rate of financial toxicity was 42%. On regression (Table 1) controlling for age, presence of past surgery, and TBSA, survivors who were < 1 year and 1-3 years from injury had significantly greater odds of financial toxicity compared to survivors who were >20 years from injury. Age and past surgery were not associated with financial toxicity. Conclusions In this study, burn survivors ≤ 3 years from injury experienced the highest odds of financial toxicity. Having surgery did not incur a financial burden; however, this result may be biased given that most respondents were older White adults and lacked insurance data. Future studies should examine financial toxicity in more diverse populations. Applicability of Research to Practice These findings may help guide prioritization of financial resources for burn injury survivors, with survivors ≤ 3 years from injury in most need of support. Funding for the Study N/A

National Health Insurance Data as a Research Tool in Korean Medicine: a guide to database utilization and methodological approaches.

This study aims to provide a practical framework for Korean medicine (KM) researchers on effectively utilizing Korean National Health Insurance (NHI) data, focusing on database characteristics, access methods, and methodological considerations for generating high-quality evidence in KM research. This study analyzed the NHI data system structure, analyzing its two major databases the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) and Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA). We examined available data types, access protocols, and methodological approaches, with particular emphasis on their application in KM research. The study synthesized current challenges and opportunities specific to KM research using these databases. Our analysis revealed three key findings 1) The distinct characteristics and complementary nature of NHIS and HIRA databases, with NHIS providing comprehensive longitudinal data suitable for cohort studies and HIRA offering detailed cross-sectional data optimal for utilization pattern analysis; 2) Multiple data access options including Sample Research DB and Customized Research DB from NHIS, and Patient Sample Data and Customized Research Data from HIRA, each with specific advantages for different research designs; 3) Critical methodological considerations for KM research, particularly addressing the limited coverage of KM services (0.8% of total covered items) and the high proportion of non-covered services in KM practices (24.2-49.2% across different institution types). For effective utilization of NHI data in KM research, we recommend 1) Implementing hybrid research designs that combine health insurance data with institutional data to overcome limited KM coverage; 2) Establishing clear operational definitions and applying appropriate statistical methods for bias adjustment; 3) Working toward developing a specialized Korean Medicine Utilization Cohort Database. These approaches can enhance the quality and generalizability of KM research using health insurance data, ultimately contributing to evidence-based practice in Korean medicine.

Trends in End-of-Life Hospitalizations of Nursing Home Residents between 2011 and 2020: Analyses of German Health Insurance Data.

Trends in End-of-Life Hospitalizations of Nursing Home Residents between 2011 and 2020: Analyses of German Health Insurance Data.

The Role of Generative AI in Insurance Data Processing

The application of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in insurance data processing has attracted a lot of attention given its potential to transform numerous areas of the business. Although AI-based technologies have been employed to improve operational efficiency, risk management, customer service, and fraud detection, there is a significant research gap in understanding the application of Generative AI in the insurance data processing industry. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of Generative AI in redefining important processes such as claims processing, underwriting, risk assessment, customer personalization, and document automation in the insurance industry. By overcoming the limitations with traditional models that are dependent on structured data, this study examines how Generative AI can assist in the processing of unstructured data, enhance predictive analytics, and ease decision-making processes. Additionally, the study seeks to assess the challenges that insurers encounter in embracing generative AI, including data privacy, model interpretability, and the integration of AI into current workflows.

Feasibility, comprehension and applicability of broad consent in the emergency department: an exploratory mixed-methods study

BackgroundThe German Medical Informatics Initiative (MII) introduced a standardised Broad Consent (BC) form encompassing medical data, insurance data, contact information and biomaterials for health data research. This study assesses the...

Relation between pelvic organ prolapse and menopausal hormone therapy: nationwide cohort study.

To analyze the relationship between pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). This retrospective cohort study used Korean National Health checkup and insurance data from 2002 to 2019. The MHT group consisted of women who were prescribed menopausal hormones for more than 6 months from 2002 to 2011. The non-MHT group comprised postmenopausal women who had never used MHT. In the non-MHT group, there were 1,001,350 women, while the MHT group had 353,206 women. Tibolone (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.87; 99% confidence interval [CI], 0.818-0.926) and combined estrogen plus progestin by the manufacturer (CEPM) (aHR, 0.821; 99% CI, 0.758-0.89) were associated with reduced POP risk. The other oral MHT groups and the transdermal estrogen group showed no significant difference in POP risk compared with the non-MHT group (other oral MHT: aHR, 1.045; 99% CI, 0.941-1.161) (transdermal estrogen: aHR, 1.252; 99% CI, 0.731-2.145). Lower body mass index (BMI) (<18.5) was associated with reduced POP risk (aHR, 0.822; 99% CI, 0.698-0.968), while a BMI between 23 and 29.9 was associated with increased risk (BMI 23-24.9: aHR, 1.143; 99% CI, 1.088-1.2) (BMI 25-29.9: aHR, 1.173; 99% CI, 1.12-1.228). All parities had a higher POP risk than parity 1 (parity 0 or no response: aHR, 1.785; 99% CI, 1.589-2.005; parity 2: aHR, 1.434; 99% CI, 1.292-1.592; parity ≥3: aHR, 1.916; 99% CI, 1.712-2.144). After menopause, tibolone and CEPM were associated with a reduced POP risk compared with non-MHT. Other oral MHT and transdermal estrogen were not associated with the risk of POP.

Impact of dementia and hip fracture onset on the healthcare and long-term care burden: Healthcare and long-term care insurance data analyses in Sendai City, Japan.

This study aimed to examine the differences in the impact of dementia and hip fracture onset on the burden of healthcare and long-term care. This retrospective cohort study utilized electronic medical receipt data issued between April 2019 and March 2023 from the National Health Insurance scheme and the medical care system for older individuals aged ≥75 years from Sendai City. Female patients aged ≥65 years who were newly registered as patients with dementia (n = 2696) and/or hip fracture (n = 1118) were investigated. Monthly healthcare and long-term care costs for 12 months before and after the entry were analyzed. After the onset of dementia, a very small temporary change was observed in healthcare and long-term care costs, which then tended to increase gradually throughout the entire course. By contrast, after the onset of hip fracture with and without dementia, healthcare costs temporarily increased for 3-4 months, while the long-term care costs temporarily decreased. Subsequently, long-term care costs rose and high costs followed compared with before the onset of hip fracture. In the hip fracture with dementia group, an upward trend in long-term care costs was observed within 12 months before entry but not after entry. Long-term care costs could not increase further because they might reach the maximum cost. With the onset of hip fractures, the level of care for patients with dementia would further increase. Hence, fracture prevention measures for patients with dementia are important. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2025; ••: ••-••.

Temporary Disabilities Due to Mental Health Problems in a Sample of Spanish Employees (2018-2022): Prevalence, Duration, and Economic Impact.

To examine the prevalence, duration, and economic impact of mental health-related work absences using Ibermutua insurance data (2018-2022) in Spain, analyzing relationships between individual/occupational factors and prevalent mental health conditions. Analysis of 48,025 Temporary Disability cases from Ibermutua's database. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Chi-square tests, and cost calculations for economic impact assessment. Most prevalent conditions were anxiety (50.34%), stress-related disorders (18.43%), and major depression (10.53%). Women showed higher prevalence. Age positively correlated with absence duration, with 60+ group experiencing longest absences. Average duration was 154 days, with total economic impact of €212,541,101.75. Significant differences emerged across age, salary, contract type, occupation, and economic sector. Findings underscore substantial burden on Spanish workforce, emphasizing need for targeted interventions and comprehensive prevention strategies based on Job Demands-Resources model.

Integrating Remote Sensing Data in Crop Insurance: A Solution to Data Scarcity in India

Abstract Consistent crop information is vital for the survival of the crop insurance sector, which relies on historical crop data, weather records, meteorological information, and farmers’ details. In India, fragmented, low-quality, and costly data have led to adverse claims ratios, forcing insurance companies to exit the market. This paper proposes an integrated framework that assimilates crop details, quality satellite data, and an actuarial model for crop yield estimation. We use kernel density estimation for risk assessment and emphasize the critical role of bandwidth calculation. Our research indicates that traditional heuristics for bandwidth selection can be misleading. A visualization of the fitted distribution with a frequency histogram can often provide tell-tale signs of an erroneous conclusion from the heuristics. We emphasize the role of the modeller’s judgment in determining the optimal bandwidth that is free from overfitting or over-smoothing. The framework bridges the gap between data and the insurer. The proposed model is of regulatory importance as it solves the issue of missing data and improves risk assessment, which will improve crop insurance market penetration and farmers’ participation and thereby promote stability in the crop insurance sector.

Comparing general and regional anesthesia in patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty: analysis of national health insurance data in Korea

Comparing general and regional anesthesia in patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty: analysis of national health insurance data in Korea

COVID-19 Disease Burden in the Omicron Variant-Dominated Endemic Phase: Insights from the ROUTINE-COV19 Study Using Real-World German Statutory Health Insurance Data.

The ROUTINE-COV19 study explores the burden of COVID-19 in Germany during the early endemic phase, assessing disease patterns and their impact on the healthcare system from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023. Using anonymized statutory health insurance data from over 3 million individuals in Thuringia and Saxony, COVID-19 cases were identified through diagnostic codes, with severe and critical cases defined by hospitalization and intensive care criteria. The study focused on high-risk populations as identified by the German Immunization Technical Advisory Group. During the study period, 414,648 new COVID-19 cases were documented, with peaks in October 2022 and March 2023. Severe cases occurred at a rate of 241.6 per 100,000 persons, with in-hospital mortality exceeding 12%. Critical cases requiring intensive care had an in-hospital mortality rate of 32.2%. COVID-19-related hospitalizations averaged 9.94 days, generating direct costs of EUR 64.9 million, while indirect costs from work absenteeism amounted to EUR 454.3 million, representing 7.5% of all-cause absenteeism costs. Despite entering an endemic phase, COVID-19 continues to pose a substantial burden, particularly among older adults and those with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions.