Direct Medical Costs Analysis of Covid-19 Patients in the Hospitals of Ilam University of Medical Sciences

Background: The most well-known classification of the cost of diseases is direct medical cost. The aim of this study is to investigate and analyze direct treatment costs of patients with Covid-19 by hospitals affiliated with Ilam University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional study performed retrospectively. The hospital expenditure information in Ilam province from March to October 2020 was used. Cost information related to all patients was collected and classified and reviewed using Excel 2016 software. The average direct treatment costs of hospitalized patients were also determined.  Results: The direct costs of treatment in hospitalized patients in Ilam were estimated at $ 2349272.094 (98669427959 billion Rials). The per capita direct medical costs were calculated to be $ 1228.056 (51578373 million Rials(. The largest share of the cost related to pharmaceutical services and the share of basic insurance was equal to $ 934.570 (39,252,109 million Rials). Conclusion: Results of the study indicated that the treatment costs of patients entering Ilam province are high, and the highest cost concerns pharmaceutical services. Taking necessary measures to prevent and control the spread of coronary artery, using the most cost-effective drug interventions and reducing unnecessary hospital stays of patients can increase the efficiency of financial resources and reduce direct medical costs in Ilam province.