Inquiry : a journal of medical care organization, provision and financingJan 3, 2026

Healthcare Costs in People With and Without Long COVID in the United States

Long Covid Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗OA ↗

Updated Jun 28, 2026

Abstract

Essence

was linked to higher healthcare spending in U.S. adults, mainly through more office-based and outpatient care.

Evidence

This cross-sectional analysis of 16,762 adults in the 2022 nationally representative MEPS found that people with long COVID had 40% higher adjusted total healthcare expenditures than those without long COVID, with higher office-based and outpatient spending but no significant differences in emergency room or hospital admission costs.

Caveat

Because this was a cross-sectional survey analysis, it shows spending associations rather than proving that long COVID caused the higher costs.

Simplified

increases healthcare utilization, yet differences in healthcare spending patterns between individuals with and without long COVID remain poorly characterized, especially at the national level. To evaluate differences in healthcare expenditures among U.S. adults with and without long COVID using nationally representative data. This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the 2022 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), including 16 762 unweighted adults (weighted population: 239 915 159). Healthcare spending outcomes included total expenditures and specific categories including office-based care, outpatient services, emergency room visits, hospital admissions, home healthcare, and prescription medications. A survey-weighted generalized linear model (GLM) with a log link and gamma distribution was used to estimate adjusted differences in expenditures between groups. Individuals with long COVID had significantly higher total healthcare expenditures (mean $11 567; SD $25 334) compared to those without long COVID ($7448; SD $21 734, < .01). After adjusting for demographic characteristics, insurance status, chronic conditions, and other potential confounders, individuals with long COVID incurred 40% higher total expenditures (β = 1.40, = .01). Expenditures were significantly elevated for office-based visits (35% higher; β = 1.35, = .02) and outpatient services (118% higher; β = 2.18, < .01). No significant differences were found in emergency room, hospital admissions, or dental care expenditures. Long COVID imposes a substantial financial burden on individuals and healthcare systems, primarily through increased outpatient and office-based service utilization. Understanding these spending patterns can help inform policy decisions, optimize healthcare resource allocation, and guide targeted interventions to manage long COVID more effectively. P P P P

Key numbers

$4,119

Total Healthcare Expenditure Increase

Average total healthcare expenditure for vs. non- individuals.

$937

Office-Based Expenditure Increase

Average office-based expenditures for vs. non- individuals.

$741

Outpatient Expenditure Increase

Average outpatient expenditures for vs. non- individuals.

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Long CovidIssue #18

Long COVID patients face 40% higher healthcare costs

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Healthcare Costs in People With and Without Long COVID in the United States

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