Expenditure on epilepsy
Disease expenditure in Australia provides a broad picture of how health system resources are allocated directly to particular disease groups and conditions, and is a reference point for planners and researchers interested in costs and patterns for particular diseases. Around $134 billion of recurrent expenditure in 2018–19 could be attributed to specific disease groups. Expenditure directly attributable to epilepsy accounted for around $333 million of this expenditure, or 0.2%.
A number of different health system resources were utilised for epilepsy management across Australia in 2018–19. In terms of expenditure, the most utilised resource was public hospital admitted patient services, followed by use of the pharmaceutical benefits scheme and public hospital outpatient services.
Total epilepsy expenditure increased with age, peaking at over $22 million in the 50–54 year old age group. However, from the 55–59 year old age group, epilepsy expenditure declined with age.
Total epilepsy expenditure was higher for males in the majority of age groups compared with females (Figure 3.2).
More information on how disease expenditure is calculated for health services is available on the Health and welfare expenditure webpages. This includes costs that are not included in this estimate such as provision of aged care services of people with epilepsy.