Cost Utility Modeling of Reducing Waiting Times for Elective Surgical Interventions: Case Study of Egyptian Initiative

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Reducing waiting times for elective surgeries remains a critical global healthcare challenge that negatively impacts patient outcomes and economic productivity. This study develops an adaptable cost-utility modeling framework for assessing the cost-effectiveness (CE) of reducing waiting time for elective surgeries in data-limited environments. <b>Methods:</b> We evaluated the economic and health impacts of Egypt's recent initiative aimed at decreasing surgical waiting lists. The study conducts a CE analysis of the initiative by estimating incremental costs (expressed in Egyptian Pounds-EGP) and outcomes (expressed in quality-adjusted life years-QALYs) before and after its implementation, performs a benefit-cost analysis to quantify the initiative's return on investment, and employs a budget share method to evaluate catastrophic health expenditure (CHE). The analysis included five elective surgical interventions: open-heart surgery, cardiac catheterization, cochlear implantation, ophthalmic surgery, and orthopedic (joint replacement) surgery. <b>Results:</b> The main research outcomes of the study are as follows. The initiative resulted in incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of EGP 46,795 (societal perspective) and EGP 56,094 (payer perspective) per QALY, both within acceptable CE thresholds. Most of the evaluated interventions demonstrated substantial returns on the investment. Without public funding, more than 90% of patients faced CHE, indicating considerable financial barriers to elective surgeries. <b>Conclusions:</b> Egypt's initiative to reduce waiting times was deemed cost-effective. Our adaptable modeling framework could be practical for similar evaluations in low/middle-income countries, especially where data is limited. Scaling up the initiative to include additional curative and preventive services and integrating it with broader health system reforms in Egypt is strongly recommended.