The financial burden of a chronic disease or form of cancer is something people fear once diagnosed. I will say in the last 2 years, I have met my individual out of pocket cost ($6700/year) on my medical insurance within the first 4 months of each year. Many times, this out of pocket cost is not how we plan or choose to spend our money.
Just to get a diagnosis, the cost of blood work after being billed to insurance was over $2000 to confirm my specific disease state. An office visit for an oncology doctor is over $300 each time before deductibles are met. Also, scans can be $1500-$3000 with each scan depending on the type of scan and location. I have learned that using a private location, not a hospital, is almost half the cost of getting a scan at a hospital.
The IV treatment of Gazyva that I was given costs $18,400 for just the drug alone for each treatment. The clinic where I received the infusion would charge my insurance over $19K with each infusion to cover drug cost, nurse staff, and extra cost due to the infusion lasting over an hour.
The oral medication I take, Venclexta, is about $19,900 for a 30 day supply. This would have a normal copay of about $3000-$6000 on many pharmacy insurance plans. The pharmacy where I work supplies patients with copay cards to cover this cost. I am truly thankful that I have not had to pay out of pocket for the cost of my oral medication.
If you know anyone struggling with the cost of IV or oral cancer treatment, the pharmacy where I work (Onco360), helps patients with either funding or copay assistance to help alleviate the financial burden of expensive medications. Please feel free to share this information or even refer those you know to me as I would love to help them. I get no commission, just the inner joy of helping someone obtain financial relief.
I am the person who did not meet a deductible until 2021 but carried health insurance for “just in case” circumstances. I am truly thankful for insurance over the past 2 years. Even though I have had to pay quite a bit of money out of pocket, I know that without insurance, that amount would be much more. Today, I have a grateful heart that there are options to pay for expensive healthcare and medications.
“Rejoice always and delight in your faith; be unceasing and persistent in prayer; in every situation be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Stay strong. God bless you
Thank You 🙂