Cost estimation of medical services for COVID-19 epidemic in Wuhan city / 中华医院管理杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To simulate the cost of medical services for COVID-19 epidemic in Wuhan city from the social perspective, as references and suggestions in case of possible public health emergencies in China in the future.Methods:By such means as policy documents and literature review, interview survey and Delphi method, a cost estimation model was built and confirmed to simulate the cost of medical services for COVID-19 in Wuhan, from December 27, 2019 to April 26, 2020.Results:The total cost of medical services during the COVID-19 epidemic in Wuhan was 8 152 670 867 yuan. 721 800 387 yuan(8.85%) of the medical cost was covered by medical insurance; the medical cost covered by sources other than medical insurance was 434 813 725 yuan(5.34%); the cost of additional measures related to medical service was estimated to be 6 996 056 755 yuan(85.81%).Conclusions:The total cost of medical services during the COVID-19 epidemic in Wuhan was gigantic. The cost estimation results can provide the government with basic information, decision-making basis and suggestions regarding epidemic control.