Patterns in US medical expenditures and utilization for injury, 1987

This article is based on data released in 1991/93 from the 1987 National Medical Expenditure Survey. Medical spending and utilization patterns are analyzed for 13 major categories of injury. Medical spending on injury in 1987 was $64.7 billion in 1993 dollars. Nonhospitalized medically treated injuries averaged $571 in medical spending per case, $181 per visit, and 3.2 visits per injury. The prevalence-based survey estimate of medical spending on injuries during 1987 is 10% lower than the incidence-based estimates of lifetime medical spending resulting from injuries in 1985.