Costs of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia among Medicare Beneficiaries in the United States
Author(s)
Chien-Yu Tseng, PharmD1, Chanakan Jenjai, PharmD1, Christopher Kaufmann, PhD2, Mikael Svensson, PhD3, Earl J. Morris IV, MPH, PharmD1;
1University of Florida, Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, Gainesville, FL, USA, 2University of Florida, Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA, 3University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
1University of Florida, Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, Gainesville, FL, USA, 2University of Florida, Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA, 3University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
Presentation Documents
OBJECTIVES: This scoping review aimed to analyze the costs associated with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD) among Medicare beneficiaries in the United States.
METHODS: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, using search terms related to ADRD and healthcare costs. After removing duplicates, titles and abstracts were screened, followed by a full-text assessment.
RESULTS: Of the 373 articles identified, 42 met the inclusion criteria and were included in this scoping review. 41 articles (98%) evaluated total direct medical costs, and 25 articles (52%) specified the categories of direct medical costs included. Mean total direct medical costs ranged from $6,709 to $115,470 per patient per year (PPPY). Inpatient costs often constituted the highest proportion of direct medical costs, with estimates up to $47,463 PPPY. Carrier and outpatient visit costs were also commonly included, reaching up to $7,347 and $20,204 PPPY, respectively. One article estimated mean total end-of-life care costs for ADRD at $64,901 PPPY. Mean total out-of-pocket costs for ADRD patients ranged from $3,285 to $7,943 PPPY. Amongst studies evaluating indirect costs, costs of informal care valued in terms of replacement costs and forgone wages were $36,667 and $15,792 PPPY, respectively. One article also found that spouses of patients with ADRD may incur up to $1,000 more in mean PPPY costs compared to spouses of patients without ADRD.
CONCLUSIONS: This review showed the burden of ADRD is substantial, and significant heterogeneity exists within current literature. Amongst articles identified, direct medical costs were frequently considered. While indirect costs were less frequently included, studies suggested that ADRD is not only costly to patients but also to caregivers/spouses. More research is needed on indirect costs such as productivity loss and quality of life, considering future policy changes to ease the disease burden of ADRD.
METHODS: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, using search terms related to ADRD and healthcare costs. After removing duplicates, titles and abstracts were screened, followed by a full-text assessment.
RESULTS: Of the 373 articles identified, 42 met the inclusion criteria and were included in this scoping review. 41 articles (98%) evaluated total direct medical costs, and 25 articles (52%) specified the categories of direct medical costs included. Mean total direct medical costs ranged from $6,709 to $115,470 per patient per year (PPPY). Inpatient costs often constituted the highest proportion of direct medical costs, with estimates up to $47,463 PPPY. Carrier and outpatient visit costs were also commonly included, reaching up to $7,347 and $20,204 PPPY, respectively. One article estimated mean total end-of-life care costs for ADRD at $64,901 PPPY. Mean total out-of-pocket costs for ADRD patients ranged from $3,285 to $7,943 PPPY. Amongst studies evaluating indirect costs, costs of informal care valued in terms of replacement costs and forgone wages were $36,667 and $15,792 PPPY, respectively. One article also found that spouses of patients with ADRD may incur up to $1,000 more in mean PPPY costs compared to spouses of patients without ADRD.
CONCLUSIONS: This review showed the burden of ADRD is substantial, and significant heterogeneity exists within current literature. Amongst articles identified, direct medical costs were frequently considered. While indirect costs were less frequently included, studies suggested that ADRD is not only costly to patients but also to caregivers/spouses. More research is needed on indirect costs such as productivity loss and quality of life, considering future policy changes to ease the disease burden of ADRD.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-05, ISPOR 2025, Montréal, Quebec, CA
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S1
Code
EE124
Topic
Economic Evaluation
Topic Subcategory
Cost/Cost of Illness/Resource Use Studies
Disease
SDC: Geriatrics, SDC: Neurological Disorders