Screening and Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Medicaid Populations—A 2-State Analysis
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Author/Creator ORCID
Date
0202-08
Type of Work
Department
Program
Citation of Original Publication
Merrell, Melinda A., Charles Betley, Elizabeth Crouch, Peiyin Hung, Ian Stockwell, Alice Middleton, and William S. Pearson. “Screening and Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Medicaid Populations—A 2-State Analysis.” Sexually Transmitted Diseases 48, no. 8 (August 2021): 572. https://doi.org/10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001365.
Rights
This work was written as part of one of the author's official duties as an Employee of the United States Government and is therefore a work of the United States Government. In accordance with 17 U.S.C. 105, no copyright protection is available for such works under U.S. Law.
Public Domain
Public Domain
Subjects
Abstract
Background
Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are common, treatable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that are highly prevalent in the general US population. Costs associated with diagnosing and treating these conditions for individual states' Medicaid participants are unknown. The purpose of this study was to estimate the cost of screening and treatment for 3 common STIs for state Medicaid program budgets in Maryland and South Carolina.
Methods
A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted using Medicaid administrative claims data over a 2-year period. Claims were included based on the presence of one of the 3 study conditions in either diagnosis or procedure codes. Descriptive analyses were used to characterize the participant population and expenditures for services provided.
Results
Total Medicaid expenditures for STI care in state fiscal years 2016 and 2017 averaged $43.5 million and $22.3 million for each year in Maryland and South Carolina, respectively. Maryland had a greater proportion of costs associated with outpatient hospital and laboratory settings. Costs for care provided in the emergency department were highest in South Carolina.
Conclusions
Diagnosis and treatment of commonly reported STIs may have a considerable financial impact on individual state Medicaid programs. Public health activities directed at STI prevention are important tools for reducing these costs to states.