Abstract
In an exploratory nature, this study aimed to evaluate the variability of the financial sacrifice (expenditure) of a nationwide health provider in admissions of elderly patients with pneumonia, coronary heart disease and stroke in the Intensive Care Unit Type III and Coronary Units of private providers in Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Secondary data from the health insurance provider database were collected and analyzed using estimates, such as mean, proportion and confidence interval. Pneumonia had the highest expenditure (53.70%), coronary heart disease the lowest (10.78%); and stroke was around (35.52%). Among the capitals, Rio de Janeiro has spent the highest percentage of financial resources to assist beneficiaries with pneumonia (68.8%). If the current spending is maintained, the population aging will be a major challenge in health care management for the decades to come.
health expenditures; elderly; intensive care unit