Arthritis and Joint Pain

For total medical expenditures, mean per-person expenditures for arthritis and joint pain increased from an average of $6,393 in the years 1996 to 1998 to an average of $9,556 from 2009 to 2011 in 2011 dollars. For incremental medical expenditures, mean per-person expenditures for arthritis and joint pain increased from an average of $654 in the years 1996 to 1998 to an average of $1,909 in 2009 to 2011 in 2011 dollars. The change in total mean expenditures was 50%, while incremental mean expenditures rose by 192%. (Reference Table 10.6 PDF [1] CSV [2])

Mean per person direct costs include ambulatory care, inpatient care, prescriptions, and other health care costs. In 2011, ambulatory care and inpatient care each accounted for about a third of per person direct costs, with prescriptions accounting for another 25%. Over the past 15 years, prescription costs have seen the greatest change, rising nearly 60% per person in that time. Both inpatient and other health care costs went down by 20% and 23%, respectively. (Reference Table 10.4 PDF [3] CSV [4])

Total aggregate medical expenditures for people treated for all causes, including a diagnosis of arthritis and joint pain, in the United States increased from $185.2 billion in 1996 to 1998 to $580.9 billion in 2011 dollars, on average, for the years 2009 to 2011. Aggregate medical expenditures specifically attributed to arthritis and joint pain (incremental costs) in the United States increased from $18.9 billion in 1996 to 1998 to $116.1 billion in 2011 dollars, on average, for the years 2009 to 2011. While the increase over the 15-year period for total aggregate costs was more than 200%, the increase for incremental aggregate costs was greater than 500%. (Reference Table 10.6 PDF [1] CSV [2])

Mean and aggregate total and incremental direct and indirect costs for two types of arthritis using the annual average for years 2008 to 2011 MEPS data are calculated.