April 24, 2020

The potential health care costs and resource use associated with COVID-19 in the United States

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Modeling and Prediction

• Bartsch et al developed a Monte Carlo simulation model to estimate the burden COVID-19 will impose on the US health care system. The model represented the U.S. population and what could happen to each person who gets infected with SARS-CoV-2, predicting that a single symptomatic COVID-19 infection would cost a median of $3,045 in direct medical costs during the course of the infection. Predictions for hospitalizations, ICU admissions, ventilators used and hospital bed days and direct costs are provided for different hypothetical prevalence rates in the US. 

Bartsch et al. (Apr 23, 2020). The potential health care costs and resource use associated with COVID-19 in the United States. Health Affairs. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2020.00426