BACKGROUND: Multiple studies have demonstrated the benefits of DMTs in slowing disease progression; however cost of the DMTs is an issue given the current pricing pressures.  This study evaluates the comparison of HRU and associated cost to provide the overall economic benefits of treatment with DMTs OBJECTIVES: To compare populations, costs, and healthcare resource utilization (HRU) in patients with MultipleSclerosis (MS) treated with a disease modifying therapy (DMT) versus those who were not (Non-DMT).  METHODS: A retrospective analysis of integrated medical and pharmacy claims data were analyzed inpatients with a diagnosis of MS (ICD -9 of 340.0) during 2012. There were 2 cohorts, those treated with a DMT and those not treated,  (Non-DMT) for the entire 12 months by the presence or absence of relevant NDC and HCPCS codes.   RESULTS: When comparing HRU, significant differences were found in the DMT vs. Non-DMT treated groups.  The unadjusted analysis showed that there was a 39.2% reduction in ER visits (15.68/100 vs. 24.25/100), a 35.9% reduction in MS related hospitalizations (46.64/100 vs. 76.62/100) and a 15.6% reduction in hospitalization length of stay (5.14  vs. 6.09), respectively.  The average cost per patient for the DMT treated group was $61,698.16 ($33,983.87 due to DMT cost) compared to the total average cost per patient of $43,772.72 in the Non-DMT treated group. Multivariate regression will be performed to examine differences in cost and utilization adjusting for differences in baseline characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Although the total costs of treatment in the DMT group were substantially higher than in the Non-DMT group as expected, we found significantly beneficial  reductions in HRU use that are costly drivers in health care.