Cost of chronic red blood cell transfusion in the Brazilian private healthcare sector from a payer perspective
Custo de transfusão crônica de concentrado de hemácias na perspectiva do sistema de saúde suplementar brasileiro
J. bras. econ. saúde (Impr.); 12 (3), 2020
Ano de publicação: 2020
Objective:
In the private healthcare sector in Brazil, the dearth of information regarding transfusion cost may compromise the management of conditions requiring long-term transfusion. Therefore, the present study aimed to estimate the cost of chronic red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in this context.Methods:
A payer perspective was chosen for the analysis. A survey performed by an expert advisory board gathered information on the amounts reimbursed by health plans to blood centers per outpatient transfusion of a single RBC bag in multitransfused patients. Survey results were contrasted to RBC transfusion cost calculated using Brazilian Hierarchical Classification of Medical Procedures (CBHPM) parameters from 2018 and 2010, the latter suggested by the advisory board as more accurately reflecting market prices.Results:
Six blood centers in the South and Southeast of Brazil were surveyed. The median amount reimbursed per RBC unit was R$ 1,066.44 (interquartile range: R$ 665.00-1,252.00). The mean amount reimbursed was R$ 959.54 ± R$ 337.14 (minimum: R$ 295.00 – maximum: R$ 1,980.00). Using 2018 CBHPM parameters, the cost of transfusing one RBC unit was calculated as R$ 1,905.18. Using 2010 CBHPM parameters, the cost was R$ 1,119.69 per RBC unit.Conclusions:
Analyses using 2018 CBHPM parameters may lead to overestimation of transfusion cost. The best estimate for outpatient transfusion of one RBC bag in the private health care sector in Brazil lies between the observed reimbursed values and 2010 CBHPM cost. The present results provide valuable information for future cost-effectiveness analyses focusing on disorders whose treatment involves routine RBC transfusion.
A carência de informações sobre custo de transfusão sanguínea na saúde suplementar brasileira pode comprometer análises econômicas e eventuais decisões relacionadas a esse procedimento no longo prazo. O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar o custo de transfusão crônica de concentrado de hemácias (CH) nesse contexto.
