OBJECTIVES: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is one of the most common cancers in the United States, accounting for about 4% of all cancers. This study evaluated the marginal health care expenditures among individuals with NHL using Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS).

METHODS: This cross-sectional study included all adults (≥18 years) diagnosed with NHL and other cancers from the 2014-19 MEPS for comparative evaluation of healthcare expenditures. The components of healthcare expenditures included hospital inpatient, office-based visits, outpatient, emergency room, prescription medications, dental, home health, and other expenditures. Individuals with NHL and other cancers were identified using variables CALYMPH and CANCERDX based on the 2014-19 full-year consolidated MEPS Household Component. Descriptive weighted analyses were carried out to compare the total health care expenditure between individuals with NHL and all other cancers. A two-part model using probit and generalized linear models using the log link function was used to estimate the marginal increase in total health care expenditures for NHL compared to all other cancers.

RESULTS: According to the MEPS, there were 0.74 million NHL patients (95% CI=0.62-0.86) and 27.91 million patients (95% CI=26.69-29.13) with other cancers annually. Most of the NHL patients were >65 years old (45.8%), male (60.67%), and White (78.36%). The bivariate analysis indicated that total annual expenditure of $21,698 (95% CI=$16,752-$26,645) for NHL was higher than other cancers [$15,029 (95% CI=$14,476-$15,582)]. The two-part model revealed that annual healthcare expenditure for NHL was $7,283.58 (95% CI=$1,432-$13,134) higher than patients diagnosed with all other cancers.

CONCLUSIONS: NHL has a high economic burden in comparison with other cancers. The excessive cost of health care can be a barrier for achieving optimal outcomes for NHL patients. Therefore, concerted efforts are needed to improve access and to reduce healthcare costs for NHL.