Analysis of the costs of diagnosing cystic fibrosis with a newborn screening program

Objectives To compare the cost of diagnosing cystic fibrosis (CF) through a newborn screening program with the traditional method and to estimate the cost of CF diagnosis if a national newborn screening program is implemented. Study design Surveys were conducted to determine the annual number of sweat tests in 1991 and in 2000 after implementation of statewide screening. A national survey of sweat test costs was used to estimate the annual expense for diagnosing CF in the United States through newborn screening. Results Since the introduction of newborn screening for CF, the numbers of sweat tests ordered annually have decreased from 1670 to 804 (including 134 follow-up tests from screening). The current estimated annual cost of Wisconsin CF newborn screening and diagnosis is $4.58 per newborn infant. The estimated annual cost per newly diagnosed CF infant using the traditional method is $4.97 per newborn infant. If no additional sweat tests were ordered outside of the newborn screening program, the estimated annual cost of a Wisconsin CF newborn screening and diagnosis is $2.66 per newborn and $2.47 per newborn for a national CF newborn screening program. Conclusions A CF newborn screening program provides a potentially cost-saving alternative to the traditional method of diagnosis of CF.