Abstract

DAVID D., Inés Milena; MEDINA P., Ana María  and  MARTINEZ L, Elkin. Higt cost diseases in users of a health insurance company. Rev. Fac. Nac. Salud Pública [online]. 2006, vol.24, n.2, pp.98-104. ISSN 0120-386X.

Introduction: high cost diseases (HCD) present an important risk for financial balance in companies providing health services and it could be a determinant factor for their survival in the market. Materials and methods: all bills and accounts related to HCD of 8,347 users of a health insurance company were reviewed (1999-2003). Results: up to 245 cases of HCD were reported with a cost of cop $3,520,000,000. In the last year HCD consumed 36% of the total expenses of health services. Hearth diseases, cancer and renal failure represented 65% of that cost. 30% of that budget was spent on people who died while receiving attention. Age and chronicity are linked to death event. Conclusions: HCD really are a significant load for the health system. Patient care is technically impressive and expensive but often applied very late when benefits are rarely possible. It is evident that prevention and health promotion is the appropriate option, if not for human and social reasons at least for economic matters.

Keywords : High cost; chronic diseases; health investment.

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