The Role of COVID-19 in Excess Mortality in Slovakia: A Novel Approach Based on Healthcare Billing Records

The identification of COVID-19 associated deaths with our methodology offers a more accurate explanation for the notably high excess mortality observed in Slovakia (31,789 deaths) during the pandemic, relative to the EU27. Given the high level of excess mortality, the officially confirmed deaths are likely underestimated, and the presented methodology provides a more precise measure of mortality. Additionally, healthcare billing records prove valuable in identifying these deaths at the individual patient level using claims data of health insurance companies, which is crucial for implementing targeted preventive measures and improving preparedness for future pandemics.