Economic evaluation
10.6 Cost calculation
The costs considered in the study are determined according to the study perspective (see Table 10.2). Cost calculation is the same across all types of economic evaluation. However, the study perspective will determine which types of costs will be included into calculations. Savings resulting from the implementation of the intervention are not included in the cost calculation; instead, they are considered consequences of the intervention.
Table 10.2 Cost Considerations According to the Study Perspective
| Study Perspective | Cost examples | |
| Societal | Public payer | Direct costs for services and good covered by the public payer. For example, in healthcare, these costs would include costs for hospitalization, primary care, rehabilitation, community care, long-term care, medical and other professional services, drugs, medical devices, diagnosis and screening services, facilities. |
| Private insurer | Services and devices covered outside of the public insurance system | |
| Direct beneficiaries, families and caregivers, replacement costs for employers | Copayments. Includes for example in the healthcare system copayments for services and drugs, cost of travel, premiums paid to private insurers, time spent for travel and treatments. | |
| Productivity loss | Unpaid work of caregivers and lost productivity due to reduced capacity, long-term disability, early mortality | |
Source: Adapted from Agence Canadienne des Médicaments et des Technologies de la Santé. (2006). Guidelines for the Economic Evaluation of Health Technologies: Canada. 3rd Edition.
