Handling the Financial Burden of an Ulcerative Colitis Diagnosis

Ulcerative Colitis is an expensive and painful disease that can keep you from work. Many of the procedures needed to evaluate your condition are expensive especially colonoscopy, x-rays, and lab results. If you have a severe toxic flare up, time in the hospital is required, another expense. Medications are also expensive. Be prepared with insurance, Medicare, savings on your prescriptions and sick leave.

Although I've never had a diagnosis for ulcerative colitis, I've been through many of the tests and traumas ulcerative colitis patients face because of intestinal difficulties that occurred with endometriosis, polyps and an ulcer.

Get Medical Insurance

Many people who are self-employed find it expensive to pay for their insurance. I've know people that have resisted paying for the insurance because if they just pay cash, the money used is sitting in the bank collecting interest, or so the theory goes. If you have medical insurance, you will find that your bills are reduced to the minimum amount that the insurance company deems warranted. Additionally, medical insurance will carry you over the tough spots when your ulcerative colitis kicks in.

Many people who suffer from ulcerative colitis symptoms are eager to get a diagnosis so that they understand the cause of their ill health and to get on with treatment. Most medications treat the symptoms. The bad part about a diagnosis is that if you lose your insurance, you lose a number of months where a new insurance company can deny you medical benefits due to a pre-existing illness clause.

Some companies offer pre-paid medical your-share-of-the- cost programs that can net you additional savings .

Save your receipts, you never know when you'll require surgery and time off, these items may add up to a deduction on your income taxes.

Get Medicare Supplements

If you are 65 years of age or older, you will be covered by Medicare. If you can afford to buy the insurance supplement, the cost is well worth the price.

Get Inexpensive Drugs

If you are prescribed drugs to treat ulcerative colitis, find out if there are generic brands of the medicine since these often cost less. If your insurance covers drugs, find out if you can buy a 90-day supply through a mail program, often for less than what a drug store will charge. Travel to Mexico or Canada can provide a chance to obtain less expensive drugs.

Keep Rainy Day Funds

Because of the expense of dealing with ulcerative colitis, keep a rainy day fund for when you lose your job or lose hours of work. When I worked in the IAM union, most of my coworkers had a minimum of one year's wages saved up in case of a strike. Recovery rates for internal surgery often are 6 week or less. Buying into a long-term disability fund makes sense since they usually only cost a dollar or two per month.

Save Your Sick Leave Time/Flex Schedule

If you have ulcerative colitis, if it is possible to work a flexible schedule, do so. A schedule that allows flexible start times or that allows more days off by working a longer shift, can save you costs in the long run.