OBJECTIVES To determine the direct costs associated with treatment of venous thromboembolism disease (VTE) [deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE)] from the payer perspective in institutions of the social security sector (SSS) of Argentina.

METHODS Key parameters of resource usage for diagnosis and treatment of VTE, and cost of its complications (bleeding adverse events [AE]): major bleeding, clinically relevant non‐major bleeding and minor bleeding) were obtained from clinical guidelines, literature and local expert opinions (Delphi panel). Direct costs included diagnosis, drug treatment, laboratory tests, routine medical attention and hospitalization. Drug costs were obtained from list of prices of ANMAT (National Drug Administration); cost of resources used was based on tariffs from the SSS of Argentina. Total per-patient direct costs were estimated by micro-costing approach. Costs per patient are presented in Argentinean Peso (AR$) (exchange rate 1US$=37.88AR$, December 2018).

RESULTS Per patient cost of diagnosing: DVT AR$1,833 [range AR$787 - AR$3,231] and PE AR$2,868 [AR$1,482 - AR$3,819]. Per patient cost of DVT treatment in candidates for anticoagulation, without considering bleeding complications: i) hospitalized AR$57,978 [AR$45,571 - AR$73,275], and ii) NOT hospitalized (outpatient) AR$17,946 [AR$14,752 - AR$31,028]. Per patient cost of PE treatment in candidates for anticoagulation, without considering bleeding complications: i) with intermediate risk AR$91,053 [AR$80,066 - AR$109,228]; ii) with low risk (hospitalized) AR$64,643 [AR$46,672 - AR$82,534] and iii) with low risk (outpatient) AR$18,748 [AR$14,752 - AR$31,028]. Average cost of AE management: major bleeding AR$223,606, clinically relevant non‐major bleeding AR$77,358 and minor bleeding AR$27,269.

CONCLUSIONS This study shows that the direct costs associated with the treatment of VTE in Argentina are high. Cost of outpatient therapy is significantly lower than inpatient care, so if possible, this should be the preferred strategy. Furthermore, our study provides relevant information to perform economic evaluations of VTE treatment in Argentina.