Cost of illness for COVID-19 inpatients in West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 is still a pandemic worldwide, including in Indonesia. The high number of COVID-19 cases, especially in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), has a financial impact, considering that inpatient costs are borne by the government. Objective: To calculate the cost of illness for COVID-19 inpatients at the NTB Provincial hospital. Method: The method used was the cost of illness from a payer’s perspective. The population consisted of 822 patients. Results: The total direct medical cost of COVID-19 patients at the NTB Provincial hospital in 2020 was IDR 45,589,962,670, with an average of IDR 55,462,242. The average cost of COVID-19 inpatients without comorbidities was IDR 45,545,441 and IDR 71,926,056 for those with comorbidities. Conclusion: The total cost of illness of COVID-19 in West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, was high. Therefore, preventive efforts are needed to reduce the incidence of COVID-19 in Indonesia, especially in West Nusa Tenggara.