Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: To quantify the direct economic burden of obesity in Greece’s private healthcare sector using real-world data (RWD) and a Cost of Illness (COI) model, supporting evidence-based policy and resource allocation.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted using private insurance claims database, covering inpatient care in private hospitals from 2022 to 2024. Patients with obesity (ICD-10 E66) were stratified by BMI (Class I: 30-34.9, II: 35-39.9, III: ≥40). Direct healthcare costs-including drugs, disease management, resource utilization, and hospitalization were calculated using a bottom-up approach and adjusted to 2025 values. Epidemiological data and private insurance coverage rates were used to extrapolate patient-level costs to the eligible population.
RESULTS: Average total cost per patient increased with BMI: €3,897 (BMI 30-34.9), €7,003 (BMI 35-39.9), and €12,989 (BMI ≥40). Disease management and healthcare resource utilization were the largest cost drivers, with hospitalization costs rising sharply in severe obesity. When scaled to total population of individuals with obesity that are covered by private health insurance in Greece (24% of the obese population), the estimated direct cost of obesity-related inpatient care in the private sector is €407.35 million.
CONCLUSIONS: Obesity imposes a substantial and escalating economic burden on the Greek private healthcare sector, with costs rising sharply in severe obesity due to more intensive interventions and longer hospital stays. These findings highlight the urgent need for preventive strategies and early interventions to reduce progression to higher BMI categories, and higher healthcare costs. The results also provide robust evidence for payers and policymakers to inform resource and budget allocation decisions, improved patient access to obesity management including access to medication and cost-containment strategies.