OBJECTIVES: This study examines potential determinants of age differences in direct hospitalization costs for inpatients with hemorrhagic stroke based on data supplied by China Health Insurance Research Association from 2010 to 2012. METHODS: A nationwide, cross-sectional sampling of hemorrhagic stroke inpatients with disease code ICD-10 (I60,I61,I62) with Basic Medical Insurance Scheme for Urban Residents was extracted from CHIRA claim database.We use gender as variables, and analyze cost per hospitalization, cost per hospital day, out-of-pocket payment and reimbursment rate. RESULTS: :This study contained 49.43% male and 51.57% female.Male spent 47.80% of total costs,and female accounted for 52.20%.The cost per hospitalization was greater for female (¥20,176) than for male (¥18,901). The cost per hospital day was ¥1,121 for male and ¥1,450 for female (P<0.05). Out-of-pocket payment was ¥8,920 and ¥10,197 respectively. Reimbursment rate was 53.65% and 51.10%. With age increasing, cost per hospitalization, cost per hospitalization and out-of-pocket payment showed an inverse relation to the age.When we segment the age into under 40,40-49,50-59,60-69,70-79,and over 80, the largest cost per hospitalization was under 40 years (¥24,887),but the minimum cost was over 80 (¥12,050)).There was a significant difference between six age groups (P<0.05).Reimbursment rate had a positive correlation with age.The averge reimbursement rate was 52.25%,and the highest reimbursment rate was 56.84% with people aged over 80 (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Female had more expensive than male, especially had higher out-of-pocket payment.In the future,we need study why does this happen,maybe the severity of disease, prescribing habits,and so on.Moreover, age-differences can impact on cost per hospitalization, cost per hospital day, out-of-pocket payment and reimbursment rate.Our research also found the out-of-pocket  spending was 50% of total expenses, needing to raise reimbursement rate by medical insurance fund.