Health Care Utilization up to 180 Days After Initial COVID-19 Diagnosis Among a Nationwide Sample of Insured Adults Aged 18-29 Years: An Analysis of Claims Data

Objective: To describe the health care utilization patterns of a large sample of young commercially insured adults in the U.S. after an initial COVID-19 diagnosis. Methods: Analysis of claims data of adults aged 18-29 years covered by a large national insurer with at least one day of enrollment from March 1 through July 31, 2020. An initial diagnosis of COVID-19 was identified by a confirmed (ICD-10 diagnosis code U07.1) or probable COVID-19 diagnosis (ICD-10 diagnosis codes U07.2 or B97.29) in any position on the claim. Follow-up utilization is also restricted to claims coded with a confirmed or probable COVID-19 diagnosis and divided into three timeframes: a ≤30 day acute period and two post-acute periods of 31-90 days and 91-180 days. Results: During the months of March through July 2020, 42,859 patients received an initial diagnosis of COVID-19 and nearly 15% had a follow-up physician visit within the next 30 days. Of note, 2.8% or 1,211 patients sought emergency care within 30 days of their initial COVID-19 diagnosis. Almost 3% of patients had a COVID-19 related claim for a physician visit 91-180 days after their initial COVID-19 diagnosis. The most patients were diagnosed in July 2020 (N=19,106) and 18% (N=3,391) had a claim for COVID-19 related follow-up care within the next 30 days; 4% (N=742) during days 31-90, and 3% (N=591) during days 91-180. Conclusions: While the risk of hospitalization and death increases with age, young adults are not exempt from serious acute illness and/or long term COVID-19 related symptoms.

Keywords: COVID-19; Health Care Utilization; Young Adults; Claims Data