OBJECTIVES: To assess the financial benefits of ID NOW™ introduction at in-company versus external medical visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) during the influenza season in Brazil.

METHODS: A health economic calculator was developed using costs and epidemiological data from a multinational consumer goods corporation based in São Paulo, Brazil. The calculator considers three possible patients flows and three influenza seasons (low, mid, and high season). Flow 1 considers in-company medical clinic consultation with ID NOW™ testing, flow 2 considers external healthcare consultation and flow 3 considers in-company medical clinic consultation using ID NOW™ testing plus referral to external healthcare. The calculator contemplates costs related to internal consultations, external consultations, and employee absence for internal and external consultations. The financial impact of ID NOW™ introduction at in-company medical clinic was calculated based on 500 employees. Costs were calculated in Brazilian Real (BRL).

RESULTS: Total costs for flow 1 (in-company medical clinic consultation with ID NOW™ testing) were, 9,103 BRL, 22,758 BRL and 36,413 BRL for low, mild, and high influenza season, respectively. Regarding flow 2 which considers an external healthcare consultation, estimated total costs were 17,063 BRL for low influenza season, 42,657 BRL for mild influenza season and 68,252 BRL for high influenza season. Finally, total costs for the scenario considering in-company medical clinic consultation using ID NOW™ testing plus referral to external healthcare (flow 3) were, 18,596 BRL, 46,490 BRL and 74,384 BRL for low, mild, and high influenza season, respectively. These results show a cost reduction of 47% when comparing Flow 1 with Flow 2 and a 51% when comparing Flow 1 with Flow 3.

CONCLUSIONS: Results showed that ID NOW™ introduction at in-company medical clinics can improve influenza diagnosis and significantly reduce company employees ILI related costs.