A longitudinal analysis of the lifetime cost of dementia.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Estimate the lifetime cost of dementia to Medicare and Medicaid.

Data source

1997-2005 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey.

Study design

A multistage analysis was conducted to first predict the probability of developing dementia by age and then predict the annual Medicare/Medicaid expenditures conditional on dementia status. A cohort-based simulation was conducted to estimate the lifetime cost of dementia.

Principal findings

The average lifetime cost of dementia per patient for Medicare is approximately $12,000 (2005 dollars) and for Medicaid about $11,000. Dementia onset at older age leads to shorter duration and lower lifetime cost. Increased educational level leads to longer longevity, more dementia cases per cohort, but shorter duration, and lower

SUBMITTER: Yang Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3307859 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature