In the Southern, Midwestern and Western states, age groupsfrom 19 to 30 and 31 to 40 represented a larger share of claimlines. (Photo: Shutterstock)

A recent study by FAIR Health analyzing the cost ofhospitalizing COVID-19 patients by age, geographic region andcoexisting medical conditions showed that treatment for youngerpatients was somewhat lower than for older ones, while in someareas — particularly the Western states — costs fluctuated widely,rising sharply for older patients. 

The study analyzed private healthcare claims data from January through May, revealing that on anational level the median amount charged for treating a COVID-19patient ranged from $34,662 for patients aged 23 to 30, and $45,683for those aged 51 to 60. 

Related: A COVID-19 vaccine could cost Americansdearly

According to the report's authors, while there is "no oneprofile" of COVID-19 patients, there are some notablecommonalities, and "profiles of COVID-19 patients have manypotential applications, including determining risk factorsthat make some patients more vulnerable, influencingtreatment protocols, setting priorities foreventual vaccination distribution, inspiring furtherresearch, and planning and budgeting for use of healthcare resources."

(Source: FAIR Health)

The median estimated allowedcosts ranged from $17,094 for patients over the age of 70 to$24,012 for those aged 51 to 60.

In Western states, median amountscharged for treatment ranged from $21,407 for patients aged 19 to22, and soared to $93,459 for those 70 andover. The medianestimated allowed amounts in the West ranged from $15,289 for the19-22 age group, and $60,205 for the 70 and overcohort.  

On a national level, malesaccounted for more COVID-19 claims with 54%, while femalesaccounted for 46 percent. Most of the total claims, 29.9 percent,were among patients aged 51 to 60. The smallest percentage, 1.5percent, was among children 18 and younger, although the reportnoted that the average age of new patients has reportedly droppedin recent months. 

The report said that in theSouthern, Midwestern and Western states, age groups from 19 to 30and 31 to 40 represented a larger share of claim lines than for theNortheastern states and nationally. 

Rural and urban areas reportedroughly similar claims lines: Among the largest age groupreprinted, patients 51 to 60, rural claims were at 30.2% while30.3% were from urban areas. 

Across the nation, most COVID-19patients, 33.3%, first presented to a health care provider's officewhile 23% went to an in-patient facility.

But patients older than 61 weremore likely to go to an in-patient facility first.

In the Northeast, patients weresomewhat more likely to receive an initial diagnosis of COVID-19via telehealth than at an emergency room, by 6.7% to6.2%.

(Source: FAIR Health)

Across the country chronic kidneydisease and kidney failures were the most common comorbidities,present in 13 percent of all hospitalized patients, according tothe data. The secondmost common existing condition in most areas was type 2 diabetes,but in the Southern states it washypertension.   

The report said obesity was notamong the 10 most common comorbidities for hospitalized COVID-19patients, but noted that is "frequently associated with type 2diabetes and sleep apnea, the most common sleepdisorder."

The study is the fourth in aseries of FAIR Health reports analyzing private health care claimsto gauge the impact of COVID-19. The first projected the costs of in-patientadmissions for patients and potential use of telehealth treatment;the second analyzed the pandemic's impact onhospitals and health systems, and the third examined its impact on non-facilityproviders and professionals. 

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