How Allergy Immunotherapy Can Reduce Patient Healthcare Costs

How Allergy Immunotherapy Can Reduce Patient Costs

Explore the profound impact of allergen-specific immunotherapy on reducing healthcare expenses for patients with allergies.

Physicians and patients both benefit from safe, simple, and effective allergy testing and treatment

Study Overview

In 2011, the AAAAI and ACAAI funded a landmark study by biomedical economists to analyze the cost benefits of allergen-specific immunotherapy for adults with allergies. The remarkable results were presented at the AAAAI’s annual meeting and revealed very substantial healthcare cost savings. 

Study Design

Researchers analyzed Florida Medicaid claims by over 3 million adults over twelve consecutive to identify 2,089 patients who met the criteria for the treatment group, then matched them by age, sex, ethnicity and comorbidities who were not treated.

Treatment Group Criteria:
  • Newly diagnosed with allergic rhinitis (AR)
  • Received immunotherapy treatment for it
  • Had at least 18 months of follow-up data
Control Group Criteria: same, but remained untreated

Key Findings

A hand placing a coin into a blue piggy bank with a smiling face.

Healthcare Cost Savings

Patients who received treatment had very substantially lower overall healthcare costs compared to those who did not.

  • Inpatient costs were significantly lower for the treatment group ($10,352 vs. $14,796).
  • Outpatient costs, excluding the immunotherapy, were also reduced ($2,466 vs. $4,181).
  • Pharmacy costs were lower for the treatment group ($5,636 vs. $6,321).
  • Total healthcare costs over 18 months were far lower--41%-- for the treatment group ($10,626 vs. $17,912).
A smiling female doctor consulting with a patient, overlaid with a graphic showing a downward arrow and bar chart symbolizing decreasing medical expenses.

Rapid Impact

Cost savings were evident within three months of starting immunotherapy for allergies.

  • Significant cost savings were realized within just three months of starting SIT ($1,932 vs. $3,189).
  • The total healthcare savings exceeded the mean cost of immunotherapy within the first three months.

Long-term Benefits

  • Over an 18-month period, the SIT group experienced a 41% reduction in total healthcare costs compared to the untreated group. This equates to substantial savings for both patients and the healthcare system
  • Significant total healthcare savings were realized within just three months of initiating treatment, with costs reduced from $1,932 to $3,189.
  • At the 18-month mark, the mean total healthcare costs for treated patients were $10,626 compared to $17,912 for untreated patients, highlighting a very substantial cost reduction.
  • Savings were observed across various healthcare services, including inpatient and outpatient costs, as well as pharmacy expenses. This comprehensive reduction showcases the overall economic benefit of actually treating allergies.

Implications for Your Practice

Financial Benefits for Patients

Immunotherapy not only improves health outcomes but also reduces out-of-pocket healthcare costs for patients. The study revealed that within just three months of beginning SIT, the cost savings for inpatient and outpatient services, as well as pharmacy expenses, were significant.

Practice Growth

Explaining these benefits to patients can encourage more to undergo testing and treatment, thereby improving not only your patients’ health, but also their financial situation and and your practice’s bottom line.

 

Read the Original Study Abstract on JACI Online
Read now
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Ready to take the next step?

Let’s add a little fuel to your allergy program by revisiting the way you offer treatment options to your allergy patients–and how you identify them in the first place. Help us help your program work harder for your clinic!

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