Cost of Living with Parkinson’s Disease over 12 Months in Australia: A Prospective Cohort Study

Table 2

Unit costs and assumptions for cost analysis.

Parameter	Unit cost ($)	Unit	Assumption/estimations	Data source
Hospitalisations	​	​	​	​
Public hospital	1627.12	Per day		Australian hospital statistics 2011-12 [20]; Independent Hospital Pricing Authority [21]
Private hospital	1334.24	Per day	Private hospital costs are weighted at 82% of public hospital costs to account for doctors charges which are included in Medicare data for private patients	Australian hospital statistics 2011-12 [20]; Independent Hospital Pricing Authority [21]
Hospital transport	​	​	​	​
Ambulance (road)	688.50	Per transport	Same average cost for both metropolitan and rural/remote region	Watts et al. (2013) [22]
Ambulance (air)	2682.30	Per transport	—	Victoria state government- Health [23]
Private car	0.66	Per kilometre	Average of 30 km for full journey and same average cost for all types of motor vehicles	Australian government taxation office- car expenses [24]
Taxi	5.54	Per kilometre	Average of 30 km for full journey	Taxi service commission [25]
Allied health services	​	​	​	​
Physiotherapy	62.25	Per visit	85% covered by Medicare; Out-of-pocket cost is $9.30	MBS item 10960 [26]
Podiatry	62.25	Per visit	85% covered by Medicare; Out-of-pocket cost is $9.30	MBS item 10962 [26]
Occupational therapy	62.25	Per visit	85% covered by Medicare; Out-of-pocket cost is $9.30	MBS item 10958 [26]
Speech therapy	62.25	Per visit	85% covered by Medicare; Out-of-pocket cost is $9.30	MBS item 10970 [26]
Psychology	62.25	Per visit	85% covered by Medicare; Out-of-pocket cost is $9.30	MBS item 10968 [26]
Dietetics	62.25	Per visit	85% covered by Medicare; Out-of-pocket cost is $9.30	MBS item 10954 [26]
Chiropractic	62.25	Per visit	85% covered by Medicare; Out-of-pocket cost is $9.30	MBS item 10964 [26]
Optometry	66.80	Per visit	For initial consultation	MBS item 10905 [26]
Remedial massage	55.92	Per visit	For initial consultation; Total out-of-pocket cost	Worksafe Victoria item M600 [27]
Naturopathy	31.80	Per visit	Standard consultation; Total out-of-pocket cost	Worksafe Victoria item N602 [28]
Other medical services	​	​	​	​
Dental	53.55	Per visit	For a comprehensive oral examination; Total out-of-pocket cost	Australian Government Department of Veterans Affairs-item D011 [29]
Home based care and community services
Formal care, nurse	27.00	Per hour	Duration of formal nursing visit is equal to one hour	Watts et al. (2013) [22]
Formal care, PCA	25.00	Per hour	Duration of formal nursing visit is equal to one hour	Watts et al. (2013) [22]
Informal care	25.00	Per hour	—	Watts et al. (2013) [22]
Meals on wheels	16.50	Per day	Cost of meals per day is $16 for 2 meals and $16.50 for 3 meals	Watts et al. (2013) [22]

⁢ = national average cost per weighted separation [20]
⁢ = average length of stay [21].