The Burden of Covid-19 Cases on the Payer Institution: The Case of Aydın Provincial Ambulance Service

Abstract

The study aims to assess the economic burden of Covid-19 cases on the payer institution in the context of ambulance services and to investigate the factors affecting costs. Data were obtained from Aydın Provincial Ambulance Service. Cumulative frequency, cumulative percentage and mean (standard deviation) statistics were used for descriptive findings. Logistic regression model was used to examine the factors affecting costs. Covid-19 cases posed a significant economic burden. The cost per case was approximately 466.40 TL and this amount was higher with additional diagnoses. The pandemics created a higher economic burden in 2020. Accordingly, Covid-19 cases accounted for 14.92% of the number of cases and 14.75% of the costs, with an average cost per case of 447.12 TL. In the second year (2021), the economic burden of the pandemic decreased significantly. Accordingly, the share of Covid-19 cases was 7.69%, while the cost share was 7.12%. The average cost in that year was 503.6 TL. Age, triage, reason for call, urban & rural and region variables had a significant effect on costs. There was a statistically significant relationship between advanced age and high costs per case. Covid-19 cases caused a significant economic burden on the payer. It is considered that the implementation of principles and practices related to risk and crisis management for provincial ambulance services will contribute to reducing costs. It is thought that the findings will be useful for other decision makers and policy makers, especially the payer institution.