The burden of hospitalisations for COVID-19 in France: a study of all cases in the national insurance claims database in 2020

Abstract

ABSTRACTBackground The economic consequences of the recent COVID-19 pandemic were substantial. However, direct medical costs in France have not been determined.Objective To describe patient characteristics, intensity of care, mortality, and direct medical costs in patients hospitalised for COVID-19 infections in France.Study design A retrospective study of the French national hospital claims database for 2020.Setting Hospital care.Patients or other participants All patients hospitalised for COVID-19 in 2020 were included and classified by hospitalisation duration into acute phase and prolonged COVID-19.Intervention Stratification by intensity of care (Level 1: no or low-flow oxygen support; Level 2: non-invasive ventilation; Level 3: mechanical ventilation).Main outcome measure Cost of hospital care in 2020 Euros from a payer perspective.Results 199,455 patients were hospitalised for COVID-19 in France in 2020. 17,824 patients (8.9%) received mechanical ventilation and 32,602 patients (16.3%) died. Mean per patient cost was €5,510 ± 7,142. This cost was highest in patients receiving Level 3 care, patients aged >80 years and in those with prolonged COVID.Conclusion The economic burden of hospitalisations for COVID-19 infections in France during 2020 was substantial. The study provides robust baseline data to benchmark advances in the standard of care and to nurture epidemiological models.

Keywords

• Covid
• hospitalisation
• mortality
• SDS
• intensive care