title: Profile of hospital charges for chronic conditions by health status and severity level: a case study of 4 provinces in Thailand.
abstract: The objective of this study is to identify charges for common chronic patients, by health status and severity of illness. Patients having 4 common chronic diseases-diabetics, hypertension, chronic lower respiratory diseases, and chronic renal failure-from 4 provinces were included (between 2002 and 2004). Patients were classified into clinically defined and health plan categories; charges were analyzed according to core health status and severity level of the chronic disease groups. Patients classified as single chronic condition (69.8%) had mean annual charges between 4089 and 7461 baht. Patients with multiple chronic conditions (30.2%) had mean annual charges varying, by health status and severity, from 611 to 16 794 baht, accounting for 40% of the total charges. Distribution of charges varied across health status groups. 1 USD = 35.1 baht The percentages of chronic health expenditures vary according to health status and severity of illness. This analysis can be used to identify patients for various purposes.
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Tailand.
authors.forename: Sasithorn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thanapop
authors.forename: Supasit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pannarunothai
authors.forename: Virasakdi
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chongsuvivatwong
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D017722:Hospital Charges / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic; D008297:Male; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases; D020379:Risk Adjustment / Q000458:organization & administration; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013785:Thailand