Education is the Key to Making Ulcerative Colitis Affordable

With all of the procedures, medications and testing that has to be done on a regular basis, having ulcerative colitis can become very costly. Following are average costs for the majority of the states in the United States for procedures, testing and medication for those who have ulcerative colitis. Also provided are tips on saving money and information on where someone with inflammatory bowel disease can go to obtain financial assistance. Long term disabilities benefits may also be available to those who are in the more advanced stages of ulcerative colitis and whose daily lives are affected drastically.

Colonoscopy
The costs of a colonoscopy are going to vary by provider and on the basis of geographic location. The average cost in the United States for a colonoscopy ranges anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000. The costs are still going to be high for those that are covered by health insurance in terms of their co-pay and deductible.

Prescription Medications
Depending on the severity of your ulcerative colitis and the medications your doctor puts you on, most oral medications are approximately $500 a month in total costs. If your doctor has put you on a biologic therapy such as Remicade or Humira the costs will be higher depending on the frequency of your treatments and the dosage of the drug being administered. Most patients who are covered under health insurance and receive Remicade treatments every eight weeks pay about $3000 per treatment. This does not include the cost of the hospital visit or the use of hospital equipment to dispense the drug. Health insurance plans in general will cover most of this cost depending on your deductible.

Hospital Stays
Hospital stays can get costly based on the duration of stay and the route of treatment being used. Staying in the hospital is not uncommon among patients who suffer from ulcerative colitis but is more often experienced in those with moderate to severe cases of their disease.

TIPS TO SAVE ON COSTS

Complying with Medical Advice
Many patients with ulcerative colitis have a hard time complying with medical advice because of their frustration with the diagnosis and the daily routine of having to take so many medications on a daily basis. By not complying with medical advice a patient is putting him or herself at risk for more complications that can lead to surgeries and hospital stays.

Generic Prescriptions
Most medications that are provided for ulcerative colitis can be purchased in their generic form. Insurance companies are more likely to cover costs if the medications being purchased are generic. There are some medications that do not come in a generic form and some insurance companies have a limit as to how much or for how long they are willing to cover on these drugs.

Food
Most patients with ulcerative colitis have had to make a change in their dietary needs. If you are in the habit of buying foods that you know exacerbate your symptoms it is a good idea to cut down on these. Not only will you save the money from not purchasing the food but will also lower the risk of other complications with your disease that could lead to a change in your treatment plan and thus the cost of your treatment.

Sources

"Science Direct"

Department of Labor

Internal Revenue Service

Social Security AdministrationCrohn's and Colitis Foundation of America