Indirect, Direct Cost Burden of Multiple Sclerosis Underestimated in the United States

The burden of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the United States has been underestimated, according to study findings published in Neurology.

“MS is a costly chronic disease, with direct costs of prescription drugs and indirect productivity loss being important cost drivers,” wrote study authors.

Researchers utilized a prevalence-based approach to estimate the total economic burden of MS in the United States in 2019. Direct costs were obtained from claims from Medicare Current Beneficiary, Medicare Standard Analytical File, and Optum de-identified Normative Health Information System. Indirect costs such as home modification, labor market productivity losses, and costs of paid and unpaid caregivers were assessed through a survey of 946 patients with MS.

According to findings, the estimated total economic burden was $85.4 billion with a direct medical cost of $63.3 billion and indirect and nonmedical costs of $22.1 billion. The 3 largest components of direct costs were retail prescription medication (54%); clinic-administered drugs, medication, and administration (12%); and outpatient care (9%).

Disease-modifying therapies at $35,154 per person accounted for the largest portion of the average excess per-person annual medical costs of $65,612. Depending on sex and age, the cost per disease modifying therapy ranged from $57,202 to $92,719.

The largest indirect cost components reported were lost earnings due to premature death, presenteeism, and absenteeism losses. For patients with MS the average nonmedical and indirect costs were $18,542 per year, but if caregivers’ costs were included that number rose to $22,875.

Authors concluded that while MS is already known to be a higher financial burden to patients and the health care system, it is even more expensive than previously understood.

Reference:
Bebo B, Cintina I, LaRocca N, et al. The economic burden of multiple sclerosis in the United States: estimate of direct and indirect costs. Neurology. 2022;98(18):e1810-e1817. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000200150.