Program

In-person AND virtual! – We are pioneering a new conference format that will connect in-person and virtual audiences to create a unique experience. Matching the innovation that comes through our members’ work, ISPOR is pushing the boundaries of innovation to design an event that works in today’s quickly changing environment. 

In-person registration included the full virtual experience, and virtual-only attendees will be able to tune into live in-person sessions and/or watch captured in-person sessions on-demand in addition to having a variety of virtual-only sessions to attend.

Direct Cost Burden of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD) to US Employers

Speaker(s)

Mei C1, Moeller P2, Goldfarb N3
1Columbia University, new york, NY, USA, 2Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 3Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health, Philadelphia, PA, USA

Presentation Documents

Objective:

This study assessed the economic burden of refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) among employer-sponsored insurance holders in a large multi-employer claims database in the US.

Methods:

This retrospective observational study evaluated GERD costs in a multi-employer claims database from Gallagher, between January 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. The study population was patients aged 18-65 years with a diagnosis for GERD and continuous enrollment in employer-sponsored health plans. Annual medical costs and pharmacy costs (excluding over-the-counter medications) were evaluated for all GERD patients and for the subset who received acid reflux surgery.

Results:

A total of 145,656 patients with GERD (12.2%) were identified out of 1,193,097 patients in the database; 57,783 patients (44.3%) took prescription proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), and 646 patients (0.5%) received anti-reflux surgery. The cost burden of GERD was substantial. GERD patients had a total of $13,331 annual paid claims per person (SD=$26,600). Overall mean (SD) annual healthcare cost was higher for patients with surgery compared to patients without surgery (non-surgery $13,194 [$25,703] vs. surgery $40772 [$99,073], p<.0001). Overall mean (SD) annual pharmacy cost was lower for patients with surgery compared to patients without surgery (surgical cohort $3,136 [$8,981] vs. non-surgical cohort $2,855 [$4,630], p<.0001). Among patients with surgery, overall cost per day and reimbursement were higher within 90-day window post- vs. pre-surgery (post-surgery $379 [$724] vs. pre-surgery $114 [$309], p<.0001). The pharmacy cost per-day (SD) greater than 90 days post-surgery was lower than non-surgical cohort (greater than 90 days post-surgery $5 [$17] vs. non-surgical cohort $7 [$32], p<.0001).

Conclusions:

This large U.S. retrospective database study demonstrated the substantial cost burden of GERD. Overall medical and pharmacy reimbursement were higher among patients who received surgery; however, analyses did not account for potential confounders or longer term benefits of surgery.

Code

RWD124

Topic

Economic Evaluation, Health Policy & Regulatory, Study Approaches

Topic Subcategory

Public Spending & National Health Expenditures

Disease

Gastrointestinal Disorders