Lifetime costs for preventive medical services: a model.

BACKGROUND

Cost effectiveness and other issues relating to preventive health services have been widely discussed, but a computer search of the literature elicited no reports in which the lifetime cost of a patient's preventive services was calculated. The purpose of our study was to calculate the total lifetime cost of preventive medical services for idealized versions of male and female patients.

METHODS

We used the preventive screening recommendations of the US Preventive Services Task Force as our standard. We developed a model using idealized patients who were asymptomatic, had no risk factors, and lived healthful lifestyles. We determined the typical charges in a specified marketplace for the office visits, procedures, laboratory tests, and purchases required to comply with the screening recommendations.

RESULTS

Lifetime charges ranged from $5432.60 to $7529.60 for men and from $15,307.10 to $18,525.10 for women.

CONCLUSIONS

Knowledge of the lifetime costs of preventive services may influence the decisions of patients, physicians, and insurance plans when purchasing or providing these services.