Executive function, episodic memory, and Medicare expenditures.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: We examined the relationship between health care expenditures and cognition, focusing on differences across cognitive systems defined by global cognition, executive function, or episodic memory. METHODS: We used linear regression models to compare annual health expenditures by cognitive status in 8125 Nurses' Health Study participants who completed a cognitive battery and were enrolled in Medicare parts A and B. RESULTS: Adjusting for demographics and comorbidity, executive impairment was associated with higher total annual expenditures of $1488 per person (P < .01) compared with those without impairment. No association for episodic memory impairment was found. Expenditures exhibited a linear relationship with executive function, but not episodic memory ($584 higher for every 1 standard deviation decrement in executive function; P < .01). DISCUSSION: Impairment in executive function is specifically and linearly associated with higher health care expenditures. Focusing on management strategies that address early losses in executive function may be effective in reducing costly services.