The Mysterious Cost of Healthcare in the United States: Why Some counties spend 4 times more than others

In a landmark study examining more than 40 billion insurance claims, researchers found a huge difference in health care spending in the U.S., where some counties spend nearly four times as much as others, and why Why you are surprised.

A comprehensive analysis published today at the JAMA and JAMA Health Forum shows that Nassau County in the New York metropolitan area spends $13,332 per person on health care, the highest in the country, almost 3,410 spent in Clark County, Idaho USD, this is the lowest. number.

What’s more striking is the changes in each state. For example, in Florida, Sumter County, a suburb of Orlando, costs $11,680 per person, and despite the close proximity of its neighbor, its $5,899 is almost twice as high as its neighbor Osceola County.

“The national comparison of bed-living care expenditures highlights the urgent need to address gaps in access to primary care, which consider how much people use services based on their geographical location, age and health.” Joseph Dieleman, Health Associate Professor, Institute of Indicators and Assessment.

Research by researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine provides the most detailed view of health care spending in 3,110 U.S. counties to date, analyzing the costs of four payers, 148 health conditions and seven care.

Type 2 diabetes is the most expensive single health condition, costing $144 billion nationwide. Other top expenses include $100.9 billion in musculoskeletal diseases, $93 billion in oral diseases, and $81 billion in heart diseases.

Outpatient services account for the largest share of 42% of spending when examining the type of care, totaling more than $1 trillion. Hospital hospitalizations were 24% ($578 million), while prescription drugs accounted for 14% ($331 billion).

Age plays a crucial role in spending models, with more than 40% of the expenses going to over 65 years old, while less than 12% of the expenses going to under 20 years old. The highest per capita expenditure occurs in groups under the age of 85.

The study identified that utilization (the frequency of people using health care services) as the main driver of cost differences, accounting for 65% of the spending differences. Service price and intensity explain 24%, while disease prevalence is surprisingly 7%.

These findings may help explain why some states have found more effective ways to care. Utah, for example, maintains a low spending rate across all types of care, largely due to its young population profile. Meanwhile, Alaska’s high spending is increased by outpatient, inpatient and emergency department care rates.

“If people have better coverage, they will be more likely to have regular health checks, thus reducing the need for emergency care,” Dr. Dieleman noted. “This change will also lead to better health conditions and allow for emergency responses,” he said. Providers focus on patients with urgent medical needs.”

As policymakers cope with rising health care costs, this unprecedented county analysis provides vital insights into where health care spending across the U.S. is and why it is in the U.S. and why it is more Effective and more equitable change.