Estimating the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare costs in 2020: Key factors of the cost trajectory

Conventional wisdom holds that COVID-19 is increasing costs for healthcare payers due to an influx of patients requiring testing and treatment. While these costs are significant, our analysis reveals that the deferral and elimination of care is a far more impactful driver of costs. We project a net reduction in medical costs for healthcare payers by at least $75 billion and as much as $575 billion if the deferral and elimination of care continues through the end of 2020.

Watch the April 29 webinar where Matt Kramer, Doug Norris, and Hayley Rogers discuss the paper and answer questions from a virtual audience.