The costs of treating all‐cause dementia among American Indians and Alaska native adults who access services through the Indian Health Service and Tribal health programs

Introduction Little is known about treatment costs for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) adults with dementia who access services through the Indian Health Service (IHS) and Tribal health programs. Methods We analyzed fiscal year 2013 IHS/Tribal treatment costs for AI/ANs aged 65+ years with dementia and a matched sample without dementia (n = 1842) to report actual and adjusted total treatment costs and costs by service type. Adjusted costs were estimated using multivariable regressions. Results Mean total treatment cost for adults with dementia were $13,027, $5400 higher than for adults without dementia ($7627). The difference in adjusted total treatment costs was $2943 (95% confidence interval [CI]: $1505, $4381), the majority of which was due to the difference in hospital inpatient costs ($2902; 95% CI: $1512, $4293). Discussion Knowing treatment costs for AI/ANs with dementia can guide enhancements to policies and services for treating dementia and effectively using health resources.