US injury-related health care spending reached $106.7 billion in 2022, with more than half occurring outside acute and ambulatory care settings.
Falls accounted for the largest share of spending, especially among older women, reflecting heavy post-acute care utilization.
Distinct demographic and payer-related spending phenotypes emerged: firearms and assaults predominantly affected young men with acute care needs; Medicare bore most fall-related costs while private insurance covered most transport injury expenses.
Private insurance spending per inpatient encounter was markedly higher than Medicaid for patients under 65, illuminating payer-based cost disparities influencing trauma system financing.
