Which of the following describes indirect costs in healthcare economic evaluations?

• A. Treatment costs
• B. Medication costs
• C. Transportation costs only
• D. Lost productivity, transportation, and home assistance

Answer: (D)

Indirect costs capture the economic impact of illness beyond medical bills. They reflect the value of lost productivity (missed work or reduced ability to work), the time and travel resources needed to obtain care (transportation to and from appointments), and the hours of home care or informal caregiving provided by others. In economic evaluations, these costs sit outside direct medical expenses like treatment and medications, and they represent the broader burden of illness on society. The option that includes lost productivity, transportation, and home assistance best matches this broader scope, making it the correct choice. Transport costs alone don’t cover productivity losses or caregiver time, and treatment or medication costs are direct medical costs rather than indirect.