Publications

The Economic Costs of Undiagnosed Diabetes

April 2009

For Novo Nordisk, The Lewin Group conducted a study to estimate the national economic costs associated with undiagnosed diabetes mellitus (UDM). This study builds on previous work on the national costs associated with diagnosed diabetes mellitus. Lewin used a Cost of Diabetes Model that combines data from multiple sources to estimate the national prevalence of UDM in 2007; to quantify differences in health care use patterns for a proxy for the population with UDM compared to a population with no history of diabetes; to estimate the proportion of national health care use and expenditures associated with UDM; and to estimate the loss in national productivity.  The study is published in the journal Population Health Management.

Client Area: Pharma / Bio / Device
Expertise Area: Chronic Disease / Cost of Illness

The Impact of Improved Colorectal Cancer Screening on Adequacy of Future Supply of Gastroenterologists

January 2009

The purpose of this study is to assess the future adequacy of gastroenterologist supply to help ensure the nation’s ability to provide colonoscopy services. Using two simulation models—the National Colorectal Screening Model and the Physician Supply and Demand Model—the report authors provide evidence-based extrapolations of the impact of changes in CRC screening rates, trends in screening modality, and other trends in gastroenterologist supply and demand determinants on the future adequacy of gastroenterologist supply.

Client Area: Pharma / Bio / Device
Expertise Area: Chronic Disease / Cost of Illness

The Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. in 2007

March 2008

Diabetes mellitus is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Diabetes also contributes to higher rates of  morbidity – people with diabetes are at higher risk for heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, extremity amputations, and other chronic conditions. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) hired The Lewin Group to study the economic toll of diabetes. As an update to our 2003 study, The Lewin Group estimated the national economic burden of diabetes at $174 billion in 2007. This consists of approximately $116 billion in additional health care expenditures attributed to diabetes, and $58 billion in lost productivity from absenteeism, reduced productivity, permanent disability, and premature mortality.  The study appears in the March 2008 issue of the journal, Diabetes Care.

Client Area: Associations
Expertise Area: Chronic Disease / Cost of Illness

Prevalence and Treatment Patterns of Pelvic Health Disorders Among U.S. Women

June 2007

The National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC) has released a new report by The Lewin Group. The report, Prevalence and Treatment Patterns of Pelvic Health Disorders Among United States Women, examines four pelvic health conditions–menorrhagia, uterine fibroids, stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse–that commonly affect women and, in particular, Baby Boomer women born between 1946 and 1964. The report addresses five key issues regarding each of the respective disorders: What is the prevalence among women in the United States, and how does prevalence differ by age and other demographic variables? How do these disorders affect women, and, in particular Baby Boomers in the United States? To what extent is the magnitude and severity of these disorders properly recognized and understood by public health practitioners, researchers and policymakers? Does a treatment gap exist? Do current treatment patterns reflect the most effective and appropriate standards of practice?

Some of the report’s key findings include: At least one-third of all women in the United States will be treated for one or more pelvic health disorders by the age of 60. The Baby Boomer generation is currently in the phase of life with the highest rate of onset for pelvic health disorders. Pelvic health disorders have a substantial impact on women’s health and quality of life. Women’s reluctance to consult their physicians about symptoms associated with pelvic health disordrs results in under- and/or misdiagnosis, further complicating the treatment and overall understanding of the impact of these disorders. Current patterns of care indicate that clinically recommended and effective treatments generally are employed for each disorder. However, some clinicians and researchers are concerned about the common use of hysterectomies for menorrhagia and uterine fibroids, as well as the rate of anterior repairs used to treat SUI.

Expertise Area: Chronic Disease / Cost of Illness

The Prevalence and Cost of Select Chronic Diseases

March 2007

This report explores the prevalence and economic impact of various chronic diseases in the states of South Carolina, Iowa, and New Hampshire. The chronic diseases covered include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, depression, and asthma.

Client Area: Associations
Expertise Area: Chronic Disease / Cost of Illness

Chronic Health Conditions & the New Medicare Part D Benefit: Savings on Frequently Used Medications: Executive Summary

April 2006

This study, commissioned by the Healthcare Leadership Council, analyzes savings available to Medicare beneficiaries with common chronic conditions who enroll in a Prescription Drug Plan (PDP). The five chronic conditions studied are arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis and respiratory illness. 84 percent of Medicare beneficiaries report having at least one of these most common diagnoses. Lewin finds that, nationwide, beneficiaries can save 43 to 58 percent by enrolling in one of the 5 PDPs with the lowest costs. The executive summary presents information at a national level by chronic condition. Available in separate files are state level findings for Alabama-Kentucky, Louisiana-North Dakota, and Ohio-Wyoming. Also available in separate files are the appendices which provide additional detailed data for Alabama-Kentucky, Louisiana-North Dakota, and Ohio-Wyoming.

Client Area: Associations
Expertise Area: Chronic Disease / Cost of Illness, Medicare

The Burden of Skin Diseases: 2005

April 2005

Skin diseases have a broad and burdensome impact on the health and well-being of Americans, and account for substantial health care costs to the nation. Skin disease is one of the top 15 groups of medical conditions for which prevalence and health care spending grew the most between 1987 and 2000, exceeding spending rate increases for diabetes,cerebrovascular disease, and cancer. The purpose of this study, sponsored by the Society for Investigative Dermatology and the American Academy of Dermatology Association, was to estimate the prevalence, annual economic burden, and quality of life implications of a major group of skin diseases.

Client Area: Associations
Expertise Area: Chronic Disease / Cost of Illness

Fee Reconciliation Process under the Texas Medicaid Disease Management Program

January 2005

Lewin assisted Texas' Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC – the state's Medicaid agency) in designing the detailed mechanisms by which cost performance would be measured. The contractor's administrative fees are 80% at risk for cost performance, and 20% at risk for quality performance. Lewin evaluated vendors' price bids and then worked extensively with HHSC to develop and negotiate the measurement criteria with the selected contractor. Lewin has also developed appropriate algorithms for identifying patients in each targeted disease category, specifying situations where persons will be excluded from the program, and designing and negotiating all aspects of HHSC's financial relationship with its disease management contractor.

Client Area: State and Local Governments
Expertise Area: Chronic Disease / Cost of Illness, Medicaid and CHIP

Saving Lives, Saving Money: Dividends for Americans from Investing in Alzheimer Research

June 2004

To measure the cost benefit of potential Alzheimer research on Medicare and Medicaid spending and disease prevalence, the Alzheimer's Association commissioned The Lewin Group to conduct an analysis of potential savings the U.S. could realize with major breakthroughs in Alzheimer research. The report of this analysis, entitled Saving Lives, Saving Money: Dividends for Americans from Investing in Alzheimer Research, was released on June 23, 2004. The study assumes that by 2010, researchers will find a way to delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease just as scientists have been able to delay the onset of congestive heart failure, and a way to slow the progression of Alzheimer's just as they have slowed the progression of Parkinson's disease.

Client Area: Associations
Expertise Area: Chronic Disease / Cost of Illness

The Economic Impact of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

June 2004

For the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lewin and Scientific Research Associates, Inc. developed estimates of lost labor market and lost household productivity at the societal and individual levels including sensitivity analysis around the key factors affecting the estimates for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Study objective included identification of data and/or evidence gaps that hinder thorough and sophisticated economic impact analysis of CFS and to provide recommendations for future analysis of CFS.

Client Area: Federal Government
Expertise Area: Chronic Disease / Cost of Illness