MDH: Health Care Costs 8 Times More For Those With Chronic Disease
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A new report from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has found that chronic disease sufferers are paying drastically more than those without chronic conditions.
According to the MDH, Minnesota can for the first time place dollar figures on the state's chronic disease spending, thanks to data from the Minnesota All Payer Claims Database (MN APCD).
The report found that in 2012, Minnesota's total bill for chronic disease was $22.7 billion, which means insured residents with one or more chronic diseases spent on average $12,800 a year on health care services in 2012.
That's eight times the $1,600 average spending for insured residents without a chronic condition.
"This report shows the significant financial toll chronic disease is taking on individuals, our communities and our state," Minnesota Health Commissioner Dr. Ed Ehlinger said. "We cannot afford to treat our way out of this crisis. We must more strongly focus on preventing chronic disease or delaying its progression by investing in healthier communities, public health and primary care."
The MDH says care for patients with at least one chronic condition accounted for 83 percent of all medical care spending in the state in 2012.
Chronic diseases include ongoing illnesses or diseases such as cancer, diabetes, asthma or congestive heart failure.
According to the MDH, the report also found that patients' costs vary greatly by locations within Minnesota – even when treating the same conditions.
The MN APCD was created by the Minnesota Legislature in 2008 as a way to create better transparency of provider cost and quality.
