Comparison of Healthcare Expenditures Among Individuals With and Without Long COVID in the United States

Long COVID increases healthcare utilization, yet differences in healthcare spending patterns between individuals with and without long COVID remain poorly characterized, especially at the national level. To evaluate differences in healthcare expenditures among U.S. adults with and without long COVID using nationally representative data. This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the 2022 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), including 16 762 unweighted adults (weighted population: 239 915 159). Healthcare spending outcomes included total expenditures and specific categories including office-based care, outpatient services, emergency room visits, hospital admissions, home healthcare, and prescription medications. A survey-weighted generalized linear model (GLM) with a log link and gamma distribution was used to estimate adjusted differences in expenditures between groups. Individuals with long COVID had significantly higher total healthcare expenditures (mean $11 567; SD $25 334) compared to those without long COVID ($7448; SD $21 734, P < .01). After adjusting for demographic characteristics, insurance status, chronic conditions, and other potential confounders, individuals with long COVID incurred 40% higher total expenditures (β = 1.40, P = .01). Expenditures were significantly elevated for office-based visits (35% higher; β = 1.35, P = .02) and outpatient services (118% higher; β = 2.18, P < .01). No significant differences were found in emergency room, hospital admissions, or dental care expenditures. Long COVID imposes a substantial financial burden on individuals and healthcare systems, primarily through increased outpatient and office-based service utilization. Understanding these spending patterns can help inform policy decisions, optimize healthcare resource allocation, and guide targeted interventions to manage long COVID more effectively.