Evaluation of long-term healthcare utilization and costs associated with COVID-19 among adults and children in the US.

Publication date: Dec 01, 2026

This study assessed long-term healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and direct medical costs associated with COVID-19 among adults and children in the United States. Using a large national claims database, we quantified the incremental healthcare burden during the year following a first COVID-19 diagnosis compared to matched controls without a COVID-19 diagnosis. This retrospective cohort study used data from the IQVIA PharMetrics Plus database. Patients with a COVID-19 diagnosis (U07. 1) between June 1 and November 30, 2022, were matched 1:1 to non-COVID-19 controls based on age, sex, region, insurance type, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and baseline HCRU. Outcomes were HCRU and all-cause healthcare costs accrued during the post-acute period (≥31 days after first COVID-19 diagnosis), measured cumulatively through 1, 3, 6, 9, and 11 months of follow-up. Generalized linear models estimated cost ratios. The study included 944,627 patients with a COVID-19 diagnosis (U07. 1) and an equal number of matched controls. Compared with matched controls, mean total costs during 11 months of post-acute follow-up were 27% higher among adults ($11,508 vs $9,040; p 

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