Resource utilization and costs following hospitalization of patients with chronic heart failure in the US

AbstractBackground:Despite advances in its management and the identification of preventable risk factors, heart failure (HF) is a growing health problem in the US. The objective of this study was to describe treatment patterns, medical resource utilization and costs following hospitalization for chronic HF for patients stratified by age.Methods:Patients with at least one hospitalization with chronic HF were identified in a US commercial insurance claims database from 2004–2008. Patients were followed from the 1st day of chronic HF hospitalization (index hospitalization) until disenrollment or end of data availability. Inpatient, outpatient and prescription drug utilization rates were calculated per person per month (PPPM). Costs included payments made by insurers and, where available, patient out-of-pocket payments and sick-leave costs were also calculated. Utilization rates and costs were stratified by patient age.Results:There were 7814 patients included in the study. Index hospitalization was the most ...