Discharges against medical advice and 30-day healthcare costs: an analysis of commercially insured adults
Publication: Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research
Abstract
Aim: Prior literature detailing the consequences of a discharge against medical advice (DAMA) has not focused on costs. We examine costs following a DAMA. Materials & methods: This retrospective cohort study utilized the IQVIA PharMetrics® Plus database to identify adults hospitalized during 2007–2015. We compared 30-day postdischarge healthcare costs between matched DAMA and routinely discharged groups. Results: Thirty-day healthcare costs for the DAMA group were US$1078 (95% CI: US$434–1730) higher, driven by inpatient readmissions (US$979; 95% CI: US$415–1543) and emergency department visits (US$79; 95% CI: US$56–102). Costs due to prescription drug fills were lower in the DAMA group. Conclusion: A DAMA was associated with higher 30-day postdischarge healthcare costs compared with routine discharges.
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References
Papers of special note have been highlighted as: • of interest; •• of considerable interest
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Pages: 169 - 177
PubMed: 34783251
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© 2021 Future Medicine Ltd.
History
Received: 1 February 2021
Accepted: 28 October 2021
Published online: 16 November 2021
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University of Maryland, Baltimore, Institute for Clinical & Translational Research (ICTR) through the ICTR Voucher Program
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Discharges against medical advice and 30-day healthcare costs: an analysis of commercially insured adults. (2021) Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research. DOI: 10.2217/cer-2021-0024
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