More and more, more and more expensive: research reveals the main reasons for the explosion in premiums

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From 80 to more than 90 billion francs in six years. Healthcare costs have risen dramatically in recent years; we are all feeling the consequences in the form of the explosion in health insurance premiums.

Two health economists from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences have now conducted a major study to investigate the real reasons for the huge increase in costs.

It will be treated even if it doesn’t help

The aging society has not proven to be the largest cost driver, as the “Tages-Anzeiger” quotes from the study. On the contrary, costs per patient have risen sharply. According to the research, 43 percent of the increase can be explained by these additional expenses. “Our analysis shows that the largest cost item is this volume increase,” says study author Michael Stucki.

However, the aging of society only explains 15 percent of the growth between 2012 and 2017. The so-called prevalence – the frequency with which diseases occur in a population group – has even less influence at 12 percent. Population growth accounts for 30 percent. More and more people logically lead to more costs.

The additional expenditure per patient can be explained, for example, by the fact that medicines and therapies are becoming increasingly expensive. Maria Trottmann, an expert in healthcare research at health insurer Swica and co-author of the study, says that doctors today would also clarify more and therefore treat more. This also has to do with false incentives when billing services. Even in old age, treatments that were previously avoided are still performed.

3.3 million per year due to depression

According to the “Tages-Anzeiger”, this is the first study that has examined healthcare costs in Switzerland and their development in such detail. It also shows which diseases cost the most.

Mental illnesses and addictions are the most expensive. They cost 11.4 billion francs per year – equivalent to 14 percent of the total costs. 3.3 billion francs alone goes to depression. The treatment of musculoskeletal diseases such as back pain or rheumatism costs 11 billion francs. In third place: Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other neurological diseases.

All direct costs for doctors, hospitals, laboratories, care and medicines were included. But no indirect costs such as loss of work due to illness or early retirement. (lha)

Source:Blick