Abstract
Background: Acute Myocardial Infraction (AMI) is most dramatic manifestation of coronary artery disease. Every year, about 735,000 people are diagnosed with AMI and it is estimated that hospitals loose $4493 to $7940 per AMI patient on hospitalization. We studied use and expenditures for all events associated with AMI in the US in 2014 to separate all costs by type of events. Methods: We used all available subsets from Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS; 2014) to extract all cost and utilization events related to AMI. We followed proper procedures for complex surveys as described in MEPS specifications to define population influenced by AMI, number of events, and related costs. Event types were defined as ambulatory visits, emergency room visits, inpatient stays, home care, and paying for medications. Sources of payment were classified as family, Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, VA, Tricare, state and local government and other. Weighted mean (SE) and totals were calculated. Results: Close to 5 ...