Economic Burden of Invasive Meningococcal Disease in Individuals With Commercial and Medicare Insurance in the United States

OBJECTIVES: To describe the economic burden associated with invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in the United States (US).

METHODS: This is a retrospective study using claims data from a large US database covering part of the population with commercial and Medicare health plans, between 01/01/2010 and 03/31/2022. Index date was defined as the earliest occurrence of an emergency department visit or hospitalization with an IMD diagnosis code (preceded by ≥12 months of continuous enrollment without IMD nor invasive pneumococcal disease claims). Costs per patient of IMD-related complications/consequences were identified during the IMD acute and post-acute phases, respectively. Acute phase lasted from index date until 30 days after hospital discharge. Post-acute phase started the day after AC termination until death, insurance disenrollment, or data availability. Costs (2023 USD) were estimated based on ICD-9/10 diagnosis/procedure categories.

RESULTS: Among 618 IMD identified cases, median age of patients was 66 years (Interquartile Range: 48.0-76.0). Costs per patient (mean; standard deviation; number of cases) were the lowest for primary care physician visits in the acute ($248.26; $455.73; n=235) and post-acute ($2,561.40; $14,985.85; n=396) phases. Specialty physician visits ($15,781.96; $161,186.67; n=422) and hospitalizations ($97,498.46; $112,483.96; n=4) were the most frequent and costly for post-acute consequences, respectively. Other physical conditions (anemia/pulmonary condition/autoimmune disease/fatigue/adrenal/insufficiency/cardiorespiratory failure) and intellectual/behavioral/emotional/neurological/psychological disorders were frequent and costly during the acute ($36,978.59; $75,133.87; n=363; and $16,340.64; $29,840.48; n=217; respectively), and post-acute phases ($77,577.29; $249,753.61; n=369; and $20,169.29; $51,024.61; n=303; respectively). Other prevalent and costly acute complications included abnormal brain activity/other severe neurological disorders ($36,197.47; $83,099.65; n=331), and renal conditions ($28,923.59; $65,255.35; n=197).

CONCLUSIONS: The economic burden of IMD is substantial and extends well beyond the acute phase of the disease. Improvements in prevention such as vaccination against IMD could help reducing the economic burden on patients and healthcare systems.