Annual direct medical costs associated with schizophrenia were estimated based on administrative claims data—including a large private claims database and the California Medicaid program database—and compared with demographically/geographically matched control samples (1 case: 3 controls).
Excess annual direct non–health care costs were estimated for law enforcement, homeless shelters, and research/training related to schizophrenia.
Excess annual indirect costs were estimated for 4 components of productivity loss: unemployment, reduced workplace productivity, premature mortality from suicide, and family caregiving using a human capital approach based on market wages.
All costs have been estimated in 2012 US dollars based on 2002 results using US Medical Care Category.
Reference:
Wu EQ, Birnbaum HG, Shi L, et al. The economic burden of schizophrenia in the United States in 2002. J Clin Psychiatry. 2005; 66 (9): 1122-1129.