Future costs in economic evaluation. A comment on Lee

J Health Econ. 2008 Dec;27(6):1645-9; discussion 1650-1. doi: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2008.07.007. Epub 2008 Jul 25.

Abstract

In a recent article in this journal Lee argued that indirect medical costs should be ignored in economic evaluations. To reach this conclusion, Lee uses an unrealistic and uncommon budget constraint. This comment highlights a number of methodological problems in Lee's analysis. Moreover, it highlights that looking at current practice of economic evaluation, Lee's model implies the inclusion rather than the exclusion of indirect medical costs.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Budgets
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis / statistics & numerical data
  • Economics, Medical*
  • Health Expenditures
  • Models, Economic*