Health care expenditures in ulcerative colitis: the perspective of a self-insured employer.

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the incidence, prevalence, treatment patterns, disease severity, and direct costs associated with ulcerative colitis (UC) for claimants in health plans offered by a large self-insured employer in the United States.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical claims with and without UC identified from a population of approximately 500,000 employees, retirees, and dependents.

Results: Costs for UC claimants were more than twice those for the comparator group ($14,486 vs $6158; P < 0.