Results from an observational cross-sectional study show adult Hispanic patients in the United States diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) had lower total health care expenditure compared with other racial groups. 

A full-year consolidated MEPS Household Component survey within the 2014-2019 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) was used to identify 783 adult patients diagnosed with CRC. Total health care expenditure included costs such as inpatient, office-based, outpatient, emergency room, prescription medication, dental, and home health. 

Investigators inflated medical expenditure values to 2019-dollar value based on the Consumer Price Index. All variables experienced a descriptive weighted analysis and the total health care expenditure among patients diagnosed with CRC went through an unadjusted analysis. Researchers also used a Poisson regression model to adjust for demographic and comorbidities and determine total health care expenditure among different racial groups.

More than 56% of patients included in the study were male. The analysis showed the total annual expenditure was $20,616 (95% CI=$18,525 to $22,707) among White patients, who accounted for almost 60% of all patients included in the study. Expenditures for African American patients was $16,898 (95% CI=$10,998 to $22,799) and $12,329 for Hispanic patients (95% CI=$9981 to $14,678). 

Even after adjusting for potential confounders, the health care expenditure was substantially lower among racial minority groups diagnosed with CRC. African American patients and Hispanic patients, incurred 19.2% and 48.2% lower total annual health care expenditures than White patients diagnosed with CRC (P < .001), respectively. Hispanic patients had 35.9% lower total health care expenditures than African American patients diagnosed with CRC.

“The causal factor that contributed to this disparity in health care utilization needs to be investigated,” authors said. “Further, evaluation of any associations between lower health care expenditure and cancer survival seems to be necessary.”  

Reference:
Zakeri M, Sansgiry S, Alvarez S. Racial disparity in healthcare expenditure for colorectal cancer patients: A 6 years 2014-2019 nationally representative data analyses. J Manag Care Spec Pharm. 2023;29(10-a suppl):S1-S137. https://www.jmcp.org/pb-assets/Poster%20Abstract%20Supplements/AMCP2023_PosterAbstractSupplement_0317-1679318682267.pdf