Ulcerative Colitis Treatment Cost

Typical costs:

• Treatment for ulcerative colitis is typically covered by health insurance. For patients with insurance, out-of-pocket costs typically consist of a specialist copay, possibly a hospital copay of $100 or more, and coinsurance of 10%-50% for the procedure, which could reach the yearly out-of-pocket maximum.
• A doctor may prescribe one or more kinds of drugs to control symptoms[3] , including anti-inflammatory medications and immune system suppressors[4] . Medications used to manage ulcerative colitis typically cost $20-$900 or more, depending on the type and dose of drug needed, and whether the medicine is available in generic form. For example, the generic version of the anti-inflammatory drug sulfasalazine[5] costs about $21; a suppository of Canasta[6] , a brand name version of the anti-inflammatory drug mesalamine[7] costs $583; and the immune system suppressor Infliximab (Remicade) costs about $900 for a 100 mg dose.
• Some patients may need to have a proctocolectomy[8] , surgery in which the colon and rectum are removed, followed by an ileoanal anastomosis[9] , in which a surgeon uses the end of the small intestine to construct a pouch for holding stool. A 2009 National Institutes of Health study[10] found that the mean cost of this type of procedure was $39,309. At Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center [11] in Lincoln, NE, a partial proctocolectomy alone costs $12,364.

• Ulcerative colitis patients would typically start by first seeing a family doctor or a general practitioner who may then refer them to a gastroenterologist. Diagnostic exams[12] may include blood tests, a colonoscopy or an X-ray of the abdominal area.
• Medication, whether oral or topical, is typically the first line of treatment. Patients who receive treatment often see symptoms improve after three weeks, with up to 90% going into remission.
• If lifestyle changes[13] and medication don't relieve symptoms, a surgical procedure may be needed. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases[14] , some 10%-40% of ulcerative colitis patients eventually need a proctocolectomy.
• Following a proctocolectomy, most patients need to remain in the hospital for 1 to 2 weeks, and full recovery can take 4 to 6 weeks.

• According to the Mayo Clinic[15] , because ulcerative colitis can interfere with the body's ability to absorb nutrients, vitamin and mineral supplements may be needed. Supplements typically cost $5-$25 or more depending on the quantity and whether the patient buys a name brand or its generic equivalent. For example, 125 tablets of Centrum Silver[16] multivitamins cost about $13.
• Because stress can aggravate symptoms, therapies that help manage negative emotions or reduce anxiety such as massage may help some patients to improve their condition.

• Outlets such as Costco[17] and Walmart[18] often sell prescription and over-the-counter drugs at significant savings. Walmart, for example, has a prescription drug program[19] that includes certain generic drugs at commonly prescribed dosages.
• Many hospitals offer discounts of 30% or more to uninsured/cash-paying patients. At St. Joseph Hospital[20] 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.

• The American College of Gastroenterology offers a physician locator[21] .
• Wolters Kluwer[22] , which publishes health information, offers ulcerative colitis patient resources, including a list[23] of common foods that often trigger symptoms.

1.  digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/colitis/#what
2.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/ulcerative-colitis/DS00598/DSECTION=causes
3.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/ulcerative-colitis/DS00598/DSECTION=symptoms
4.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/ulcerative-colitis/ds00598/dsection=treatments-and-drugs
5.  www.uptodate.com/contents/sulfasalazine-and-5-aminosalicylates-in-the-treatment-of...
6.  www.drugs.com/mtm/canasa-rectal.html
7.  www.bcbsnc.com/content/services/formulary/drug-search.htm
8.  www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007381.htm
9.  www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/ulcerative-colitis/ileoanal-or-ileorectal-anastom...
10.  www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2791910/
11.  tp.chi.acelogicus.net/nese/Default.aspx
12.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/ulcerative-colitis/DS00598/DSECTION=tests-and-diagnosis
13.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/ulcerative-colitis/DS00598/DSECTION=lifestyle-and-home-r...
14.  digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/colitis/#what
15.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/ulcerative-colitis/DS00598/DSECTION=lifestyle-and-home-r...
16.  www.drugstore.com/centrum-silver-adults-50-multivitamin-tablets/qxp364746?catid=18...
17.  www.costco.com/
18.  www.walmart.com/cp/pharmacy/5431
19.  www.walmart.com/cp/1078664
20.  www.sjo.org/For-Patients/Your-Hospital-Bill/Self-Pay-Discount-Program.aspx
21.  patients.gi.org/find-a-gastroenterologist/
22.  www.wolterskluwerhealth.com/pages/welcome.aspx
23.  www.uptodate.com/contents/image?imageKey=PI%2F79547&topicKey=PI%2F1991&source=see_...

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