Impact of diagnosed depression on healthcare costs in adults with and without diabetes: United States, 2004-2011

- Estimated incremental cost of comorbid diabetes and depression in US from 2004 to 2011.
- Incremental cost of depression was $2506, diabetes was $2673 and both were $5917.
- Annual cost in billions: $288.2 for depression, $119.1 for diabetes, $99.0 for both.
- Incremental cost changed little between 2004 and 2011; aggregate costs remain high.

ObjectiveThis study used the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey (MEPS) to estimate the cost of diabetes, depression, and comorbid diabetes and depression over 8 years.MethodsAn 8-year pooled dataset was created using the household and medical provider components of MEPS. Medical expenditures were adjusted to a common 2014 dollar value. Analyses used responses of 147,095 individuals ≥18 years of age for the years 2004-2011. The dependent variable in this study was total healthcare expenditure and the primary independent variables were diabetes and depression status. A two-part (probit/GLM) model was used to estimate the annual medical spending and marginal effects were calculated for incremental cost.ResultsIn the pooled sample, after adjusting for socio-demographic factors, comorbidities and time trend covariates, the incremental cost of depression only was $2654 (95% CI 2343-2966), diabetes was $2692 (95% CI 2338-3046), and both was $6037 (CI 95% 5243-6830) when compared to patients with none. Based on the unadjusted mean, annual average aggregate cost of depression only was estimated at $238.3 billion, diabetes only $150.1 billion and depression and diabetes together was $77.6 billion.ConclusionCosts at both the individual and aggregate level are significant, with comorbid diagnoses resulting in higher incremental costs than the sum of the costs for each diagnosis alone. In addition, while the cost of depression increased over time, the cost of diabetes decreased over time, much due to decreased inpatient costs. This study highlights the tremendous cost savings possible through more aggressive screening, diagnosis, and treatment of depression.