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. 2021 Oct 1;32(1S):S62-S70.
doi: 10.1097/DER.0000000000000715.

Financial Burden of Atopic Dermatitis Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenses in the United States

Wendy Smith Begolka  1 , Raj Chovatiya  2 , Isabelle J Thibau  1 , Jonathan I Silverberg  3
Affiliations

Financial Burden of Atopic Dermatitis Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenses in the United States

Wendy Smith Begolka et al. Dermatitis. .

Abstract

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with considerable financial cost. However, the full burden of out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses is not well understood.

Objective: We sought to characterize the OOP health care expenses associated with AD management.

Methods: A 25-question voluntary online survey was administered to National Eczema Association members worldwide (n = 113,502). Inclusion criteria (US residents age ≥18 years who either self-reported had AD or were primary caregivers of individuals with AD) were met by 77.3% (1118/1447) of respondents.

Results: Respondents reported OOP expenses in 3 categories: (1) health care providers and prescriptions, including health care provider visit deductibles (68.7% [686]), prescription co-pays (64.3% [635]), and prescriptions not covered by insurance (48.6% [468]); (2) nonprescription health care products, including moisturizers (94.3% [934]), hygiene products (85.0% [824], allergy medications (75.1% [715]), itch relievers (68.25% [647]), dietary supplements (52.2% [491]), and sleep aids (37.0% [336]); and (3) complementary approaches, including cleaning products (74.7% [732]), clothing/bedding (44.8% [430]), alternative medications (19.0% [180]), and adjunctive therapies (15.9% [150]). The median annual AD OOP expense was US $600 (range, US $0-$200,000), with 41.9% (364) reporting expenditures US $1000 or greater.

Conclusions: Out-of-pocket expenses place a significant financial burden on individuals with AD. Additional studies are needed to better understand associations and impact of OOP costs.

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Conflict of interest statement

R.C. reports personal fees from Abbvie and RegeneronSanofi. J.S. reports personal fees from Abbvie, Anaptysbio, Asana, EliLilly, Galderma, GlaxoSmithKline, Kiniksa, Leo, Menlo, Pfizer, Realm, Regeneron­Sanofi, and Roivant, and grants from GlaxoSmithKline, Regeneron­Sanofi, and Galderma. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Breakdown of out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses. A, Out-of-pocket expenses for HCPs and prescriptions. B, Out-of-pocket expenses for nonprescription health products. C, Out-of-pocket expenses for complementary approaches and care coordination.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Total OOP expenses. A, Total OOP expense in past 30 days versus monthly average. B, Annual OOP expense. C, Summary of OOP expenses for AD. AD, atopic dermatitis; OOP, out-of-pocket.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

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