Economic Burden of Sleep Disorders in the United States: A Cost Analysis Using MEPS Data
Author(s)
Yuguang Su, MPhil.
LKS Faculty of Medicine, school of public health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
LKS Faculty of Medicine, school of public health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
OBJECTIVES: This study quantified the economic impact of sleep disorders in the United States by analyzing both direct medical expenditures and indirect costs associated with productivity loss.
METHODS: Using data from the 2018-2022 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), individuals with sleep disorders were identified based on ICD-10 codes (G47.x). Direct costs were estimated through healthcare utilization patterns, including inpatient stays, outpatient visits, prescriptions, and emergency care. Indirect costs were calculated by estimating wage losses from missed workdays. A two-part econometric model was applied, with a probit regression for expenditure probability and a generalized linear model (GLM) with a gamma distribution for cost estimation, adjusting for demographic and comorbidity factors.
RESULTS: Patients with sleep disorders (SD) experienced significantly higher healthcare costs, averaging $17,891 annually (2020 inflation-adjusted dollars), compared to $6193 for those without SD. After adjusting for demographics and comorbidities, SD was associated with an incremental annual cost of $5,463 per person. Between 2018 and 2022, SD-related direct healthcare costs changed from $16,423 to $17,891 per individual annually, representing a 9% increase. Prescription medication accounted for the largest share of SD-related costs, averaging $5,218 per person per year. However, the most substantial cost increases were observed in outpatient visits (33%) and office-based visits (24%). National total healthcare expenditures attributable to SD from 2018 to 2022 were estimated to be 77.3 billion, 92.3 billion, 65.4 billion, 111.7 billion, and 88.9 billion, respectively. Patients with SD reported 4.78 missed work days in 2022, resulting in $1608 indirect costs per person per year.
CONCLUSIONS: Sleep disorders are associated with higher health care expenditures and indirect costs. Based on the conservatively estimated prevalence in this study, total additional healthcare costs due to sleep disorders in the United States from 2018 to 2022 increased from approximately $77.3 billion to $88.9 billion, with indirect costs of $1608 per person per year.
METHODS: Using data from the 2018-2022 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), individuals with sleep disorders were identified based on ICD-10 codes (G47.x). Direct costs were estimated through healthcare utilization patterns, including inpatient stays, outpatient visits, prescriptions, and emergency care. Indirect costs were calculated by estimating wage losses from missed workdays. A two-part econometric model was applied, with a probit regression for expenditure probability and a generalized linear model (GLM) with a gamma distribution for cost estimation, adjusting for demographic and comorbidity factors.
RESULTS: Patients with sleep disorders (SD) experienced significantly higher healthcare costs, averaging $17,891 annually (2020 inflation-adjusted dollars), compared to $6193 for those without SD. After adjusting for demographics and comorbidities, SD was associated with an incremental annual cost of $5,463 per person. Between 2018 and 2022, SD-related direct healthcare costs changed from $16,423 to $17,891 per individual annually, representing a 9% increase. Prescription medication accounted for the largest share of SD-related costs, averaging $5,218 per person per year. However, the most substantial cost increases were observed in outpatient visits (33%) and office-based visits (24%). National total healthcare expenditures attributable to SD from 2018 to 2022 were estimated to be 77.3 billion, 92.3 billion, 65.4 billion, 111.7 billion, and 88.9 billion, respectively. Patients with SD reported 4.78 missed work days in 2022, resulting in $1608 indirect costs per person per year.
CONCLUSIONS: Sleep disorders are associated with higher health care expenditures and indirect costs. Based on the conservatively estimated prevalence in this study, total additional healthcare costs due to sleep disorders in the United States from 2018 to 2022 increased from approximately $77.3 billion to $88.9 billion, with indirect costs of $1608 per person per year.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-09, ISPOR Real-World Evidence Summit 2025, Tokyo, Japan
Value in Health Regional, Volume 49S (September 2025)
Code
RWD137
Topic Subcategory
Health & Insurance Records Systems
Disease
SDC: Mental Health (including addition)