Health care utilization for melanoma across demographic groups in the United States using the medical expenditure panel surveys (MEPS)

Summary: Abstract Body: The purpose of the study is to evaluate demographic disparities in medical expenditures among adults (ages ≥ 18) diagnosed with malignant melanoma in the United States. This is a cross-sectional study using data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey from 2014 to 2022. Outcomes examined were medical expenditures including total medical expenditures, office-based visits, outpatient visits, emergency room visits, prescription medicines, dental, home health, and other (vision aids and other medical supplies and equipment). The study analyzed 939 observations from 678 adult patients with malignant melanoma: 638 non-Hispanic White (NHW), 28 Hispanic, and 12 non-Hispanic Black. Mixed-effects linear regression models adjusted for age, marital status, education, income, region, and insurance status were used to analyze differences in expenditures by race/ethnicity, with a random intercept to account for multiple observations per patient. Non-Hispanic Black patients had 3.25 times higher total expenditures compared to NHW patients (95% CI = [1.35, 7.82], p = 0.009), with significantly higher costs for home health and other expenses. No significant differences were observed between Hispanic and NHW patients in total expenditures. Patients aged ≥65 years had 1.47 times higher total expenditures compared to those aged <65 years (95% CI = [1.18, 1.84], p = 0.001). Middle-income individuals reported lower expenditures than low-income individuals (OR = 0.75; 95% CI = [0.59, 0.95], p = 0.015). This study highlights demographic disparities in medical expenditures for malignant melanoma in the United States. These differences signify areas that require further evaluation to address healthcare expenditures and ensure equitable and affordable access to healthcare resources across diverse populations. Abdulaziz Hamid¹, Kara Turner², Trevor A. Pickering³, Nada Elbuluk³ 1. Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States. 2. Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States. 3. University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, United States. Minoritized Populations and Health Disparities Research