With Health Insurance: $10-$50 Copay or 10%-50% Coinsurance
Without Health Insurance: $50-$200+
Scalded skin syndrome[1] is a skin infection in which strains of Staphylococcus bacteria[2] produce a poison that causes skin to blister and shed as if it had been scalded. It usually strikes babies and children under age 5 as well as people with depressed immune systems. Scalded skin syndrome can be life-threatening, so patients should seek immediate medical attention when symptoms[3] occur. Patients with the condition will often be treated in a hospital's burn unit.
Typical costs:
Some patients in need of medical attention for scalded skin syndrome start with an office visit to a primary care physician, which is typically covered by health insurance. For patients with health insurance, out-of-pocket costs typically consist of a copay of $10-$50 or more, or coinsurance of 10%-50% or more. For patients without health insurance, an office visit typically costs $50-$200 or more.
However, because urgent care is required, many patients with scalded skin syndrome are admitted to a hospital's emergency room. For patients with health insurance, out-of-pocket cost for an emergency room visit typically consists of a copay, usually $50 -$150 or more, which often is waived if the patient is admitted to the hospital. Depending on the plan, costs might include coinsurance of 10%-50%.For patients without health insurance, an emergency room visit typically costs from $150 -$3,000 or more, depending on the severity of the condition.
Treatment[4] typically consists of intravenously administering fluids and antibiotics to the hospitalized patient. A serious infection that requires hospitalization and IV antibiotics can cost $6,000 -$25,000 or more. At Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center[5] in Lincoln, Nebraska, it costs $200-$400 to administer a round of IV antibiotics, which could total several thousand dollars for multiple rounds of treatment.
A health care provider will take a skin biopsy and skin culture to test for the syndrome. Once diagnosed, patients will be admitted to the hospital's burn unit for large doses of intravenous antibiotics.
With proper treatment[6] , the condition should clear up in five to seven days.
Additional costs:
Over-the-counter aids such as a moist compress or moisturizing ointment may help skin to feel more comfortable following treatment. These products typically cost $5-$30.
Discounts:
Many hospitals offer discounts of 30% of more to uninsured or cash-paying patients. At St. Joseph Hospital[7] in Orange, CA, for example, patients without health insurance may qualify for a 45% discount off billed charges. They'll also be offered an additional 10% discount if payment is made within 10 days of receiving a bill.
Shopping for scalded skin treatment:
FindUrgentCare.com offers an urgent care center locator[8] .
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers a hospital comparison tool[9] that lists hospitals and whether they offer emergency services.
Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
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