Long-Term Healthcare Utilization and the Cost of Bipolar Disorder Among Participants in a Large Employer's Health Benefit Plan

Objective: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic illness with recurrent exacerbations. The objective was to evaluate longitudinal costs related to BD in an employer-sponsored medical plan. Methods: This analysis utilized 5 years of administrative claims data. Claimants with a diagnosis of BD were matched to plan members (1:5) based on age, sex, and years of follow-up. Results: Medical costs for hospitalized BD members were 3.5 times more expensive than the general population (BDhosp = $92.2K vs General population = $26.8K). Average 5-year paid costs among hospitalized members with BD was $107K, $105.4K with cancer, and $103.3K with myocardial infarction (MI). Conclusions: Hospitalized BD plan members consumed more than 3.5 times the medical resources and were similar in longitudinal costs when compared with members with other costly conditions. These findings highlight the need for novel employer-sponsored programs to help manage BD.