Impacto da pandemia no custo assistencial de uma operadora de autogestão

Abstract

The objective of this work is to highlight the impact of the pandemic on care costs in a self-management operator, considering all consultations, exams, surgery and other procedures performed in the period from 2019 to 2021 The number of articles and research on the subject grows as the longevity of the effects and all their consequences becomes evident. In the study, research was carried out focusing on the cost of care for operators, along with a study on the Covid-19 pandemic and the change in inflation of medical costs with the resumption of procedures. A relationship was found between the variation in the cost of care and the growth in the number of COVID-19 cases. In 2020, which has the highest number of cases and with stricter isolation measures, there was a reduction in consultations, exams and surgeries, with a decrease in the number of cases. The relaxation of isolation measures allowed the resumption of procedures not performed, evidenced by the 33.88% increase in cost compared to the previous period. With the high average age of the beneficiaries of the self-management analyzed (42 years in the last period analyzed), in addition to having a non-profit assistance focus, which is already a characteristic of this health plan modality, the appearance of chronic diseases becomes more frequent, making it necessary to take preventive measures such as exams and consultations. Failure to carry out these tests culminated in failure to obtain diagnoses, leading to worsening of diseases and delayed treatment. It was found that, in order to reduce the current impact and the possible long-term impact, it is necessary to invest in primary treatments, especially in the public most affected by the postponement of consultations and exams during the pandemic period.