Descriptive study of the real-world, long-term cost estimates and duration of use for hormonal and nonhormonal intrauterine devices using US commercial insurance claims.

backgroundIntrauterine devices (IUDs) have comparable efficacy to permanent surgical contraceptive methods; however, long-term costs are infrequently considered. Existing estimates inconsistently account for costs outside of IUD insertion or removal, actual duration of use, or differences between hormonal and nonhormonal IUDs.

objectiveTo describe health care resource utilization and commercial payer costs that arise throughout hormonal and nonhormonal IUD use.

methodsIn this retrospective cohort study, paid claims data (Merative, MarketScan) from a large US commercial claims database were evaluated between 2013 and 2019. Claims were included from individuals aged 12 to 45 years who had an IUD inserted in 2014, continuous insurance coverage for 1 year prior to insertion and throughout follow-up, and no insertion, removal, or reinsertion in the previous year. Procedures and services that could be IUD-related were identified using Current Procedural Terminology and

resultsOf 195,009 individuals meeting the age requirement and receiving an IUD in 2014, 63,386 met the inclusion criteria and 53,744 had their IUD type on record-42,777 (67.5%) 52-mg LNG, 2,932 (4.6%) 13.5-mg LNG, and 8,035 (12.7%) nonhormonal IUD users. Despite differences in their indicated duration (13.5-mg LNG, 3 years; 52-mg LNG, 5 years; and nonhormonal, 10 years), most individuals had their IUD removed before its indicated full duration of use (13.5-mg LNG, 56.1%; 52-mg LNG, 61.3%; nonhormonal [at 5 years], 54.6%). The event rate per 100 individuals during the follow-up period was highest for abnormal uterine bleeding (16.2), ovarian cysts (9.3), and surgical management of uterine perforations (4.5). IUD insertion costs (mean ± SE) per enrolled individual for the 13.5-mg LNG, 52-mg LNG, and nonhormonal IUDs were $931 ± $9, $1,107 ± $4, and $897 ± $6, respectively. Cumulative mean ± SE 5-year postinsertion costs for the 13.5-mg LNG, 52-mg LNG, and nonhormonal IUDs were $2,892 ± $232, $1,514 ± $31, and $1,389 ± $97, respectively, among the remaining enrolled individuals.

conclusionsIn this descriptive study of commercially insured IUD users, at least half had their IUD removed before its indicated duration. IUD improvements that reduce the frequency of abnormal uterine bleeding, ovarian cysts, and uterine perforations may help reduce long-term IUD costs.