Comparing COVID-19 Acute And Postacute Medical Spending By Vaccination Status For Child And Adult Medicaid Enrollees

Health Affairs September 17, 2025
Jamison Pike, Lyudmyla Kompaniyets, Laura P. Hurley, Rachel M. Everhart, Gabrielle F. Miller, Sharon Saydah, Kristin Breslin, Megan C. Lindley

Abstract

Although COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to be highly effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death, information on the economic benefits of COVID-19 vaccination is lacking. Using data from a comprehensive, integrated health system, we linked health plan data and electronic health records to vaccination data to compare the average medical expenditures of vaccinated versus unvaccinated patients diagnosed with COVID-19. We examined expenditures during acute (within thirty days after diagnosis) and postacute (at least thirty days after diagnosis) periods from April 2021 through July 2022. Among children, average acute medical expenditures were $194 less for vaccinated than unvaccinated cases and among adults, $1,743 less for vaccinated than unvaccinated cases. Medical expenditures in the postacute period were not statistically...

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