Assessment of costs and benefits of management of gestational diabetes mellitus.

The purpose of this pilot study was to perform a cost-identification analysis of care for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by determining the direct costs of the diagnostic procedures and treatment used for the outpatient management of GDM (program input costs) and the direct costs of maternal hospitalization after diagnosis of GDM, delivery of the baby, and newborn care (outcome costs). Reimbursed average charges in the Northern California (NoCal) managed care market in 1996 were used to establish the direct costs, and the direct costs were then applied to the elements of care and pregnancy outcomes of three GDM management programs in NoCal, Southern California (SoCal), and New England (NewEng), using prospectively collected data. Reimbursed amounts for the detailed elements of GDM management (program input costs) are presented in the categories of diagnosis of GDM, diabetes treatment supplies, doctor's office visits, office visits to ancillary providers, and fetal surveillance.