title: Assessment of Economic Impact Among In-Patients with Non-Communicable Diseases in a Private Tertiary Care Hospital in Southern India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are currently responsible for tremendous economic impact on households.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was done to estimate the direct, indirect and total costs incurred by households of in-patients with non-communicable diseases admitted in a Private tertiary care hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  It was a cross-sectional study conducted in a private tertiary care hospital of Mangalore city in June 2012 by interviewing 30 patients and their attenders using a validated interview schedule.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Direct cost constituted 58.6% of the total expenses during the course of stay in the hospital. Mean direct cost was more among patients with cancers (p=0.049). Indirect cost was associated with educational status (p=0.04), occupational status (p<0.001) and socio economic status (ses) (p<0.001) of patients. Total cost was more among patients from upper middle ses households (p=0.012). Direct and indirect cost constituted 5-10% each and total cost > 20% of the annual income of majority of households. Medical insurance scheme was not availed by 26 (86.7%) patients due to ignorance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Economic burden imposed by a single admission among inpatients with NCDs was tremendous on their households. Hence, information on various medical insurance schemes needs to be popularized among people to improve its utilization. Health care providers need to introduce more financial schemes to minimize health care costs among poor households.
authors: Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College , Light House Hill Road, Manipal University, Mangalore, India .
authors: Nitin
authors: N
authors: Joseph
authors: Student, Kasturba Medical College , Light House Hill Road, Manipal University, Mangalore, India .
authors: Shilpa
authors: S
authors: Gupta
keywords: Admitted cases; Medical expenses; Non-medical expenses