Costs analysis for home care chronic patient program

Abstract

Objective: To generate information on direct medical costs, of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) and direct no medical costs of family members, home care and hospitalization of patients that had medical complications belonging to home care chronic patient program according to the place of delivery of medical service (home or hospital).

Methodology: An analysis of costs was made of patients in the home care program. The variables were: a) direct medical costs of home care of the IMSS (supplies and transportation and employees' salary); b) direct medical costs of the IMSS in hospital care for complications (costs of hospitalization, blod work and screening tests costs, specialist consultation and surgery) and, c) direct non medical cost per family member (transportation and time).

Results: Costs of home care in the IMSS were $33,883.86 mexican pesos (21.50%), of family $123,754.81 (78.50%). Medical complications cost of the IMSS $225,299.36 (97.12%), of family members $6,681.20 (2.88%). Total costs (IMSS and family) in home care were $157,598.86 in contrast with the costs for complications on patients in hospitalization $231,980.56.

Conclusions: Direct costs of home care of the IMSS were less in comparison with the family member costs. However, when patients had complications and were hospitalized, the institution's costs were significantly higher