OBJECTIVES: To determine the cost of non-CF bronchiectasis patients enrolled in a managed care plan. METHODS: Data were obtained from a large employer-based claims database.  A cohort of bronchiectasis patients (cases) with and without acute exacerbations was identified using ICD-9 494.0 and 494.1 codes and matched (1:3) on demographics to those without the disease (controls) from January 1, 2005-December 31, 2009.  Index event for cases were defined as the first medical claim of bronchiectasis during the study period and controls were assigned the same index event to whom they were matched. Cases had no medical claim for cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder 12 months prior (baseline) and post index event. Medical resource use and expenditures were estimated for 12 months before and after index event.  All statistical tests were conducted using SAS 9.2. RESULTS: The final study sample included 9,146 cases and 27,438 matched controls. 64% and 50% of the sample was females and between 45-64 years of age at index date, respectively.  37%, 29%, and 27% of the sample was enrolled in a POS, HMO, or PPO type of health plan.  Overall comorbidity burden as measured by the Charlson comorbidity score and respiratory conditions other than bronchiectasis were significantly (p<.001) greater at baseline among cases vs. controls.  The incremental overall ($2,128 vs. $783) and respiratory-related ($896 vs. $100) costs were significantly (p<.001) greater among cases vs. controls.  The difference was primarily driven by an increase in outpatient care visits (2.21 vs. 0.43), emergency room visits (0.31 vs. 0.08) and pharmacy scripts (3.58 vs. 0.83) in the post-index period vs. baseline in cases vs. controls. CONCLUSIONS: The study found that overall incremental economic impact of non-CF bronchiectasis to a health plan was $1345 per patient.  Further research needs to identify the impact of current treatment on the burden of the disease.