A comparison of health care utilization among insured working-age adults in the state of Virginia, U.S. by long COVID and disabling condition status in 2022

Objective Americans with disabilities experience more medical interactions and greater access barriers than those without. After the COVID-19 pandemic, Long COVID (LCOVID) emerged as a chronic condition. Few studies examine patterns among people with disabling conditions who develop LCOVID. This study compared healthcare utilization rates among individuals with and without LCOVID and/or a potentially disabling condition (PDC) among working-age adults in Virginia's insurance plans in 2022. Methods Retrospective analysis using 2021–22 administrative claims data from Virginia's All-Payer Claims Database estimated rates of primary, emergency, and inpatient care among adults aged 18–64 with PDC(s) and LCOVID. Disabling conditions were identified using specifications from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and LCOVID was identified using the ICD-10 code U09.9. Members were grouped by PDC/LCOVID status, sex and age. We applied regression models to estimate rates and compare differences across diagnostic groups. Results Among most groups, individuals with both PDCs and LCOVID had the highest rates of primary, emergency, and inpatient utilization. Those with LCOVID or PDC alone also often had higher utilization than those with neither. Conclusion These findings underscore the need for accessible, cost-effective care for people with disabling conditions and Long COVID.