Summary
This is the fourth in a series of EBRI Fast Facts
related to the uneven distribution of health care spending. Health care
use and spending are
highly concentrated, with a small share
of individuals accounting for a disproportionate amount of total costs.
These “high-cost claimants” typically
have complex and intensive medical
needs, often related to chronic conditions. However, the definitions of
high-cost claimants vary, commonly relying
on spending thresholds or percentile
cutoffs. This Fast Fact examines the composition of spending in
employment-based health plans and looks
at how spending on inpatient services,
outpatient services, and prescription drugs varies by overall level of
spending.