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Lundgren, Linnea, and Jeff Wald. "Allergy Treatment Basics." 03 May 2006. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://health.howstuffworks.com/allergy-treatments-ga.htm> 17 May 2008.
by Linnea Lundgren and Jeff Wald, MD
Inside This Article
Allergy Medical Costs
Allergies aren't cheap. Just look at these facts and figures from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology:- In 1993, it was estimated that the total cost associated with allergic rhinitis in the United States was $3.4 billion; $2.3 billion of that was for medications, while $1.1 billion represented physician billing.
- It is estimated that in 1998, increased absenteeism and reduced productivity due to allergies cost U.S. companies more than $250 million.
- In 1996, overall health care expenditures attributable to sinusitis in the United States were estimated to be over $5.8 billion. Allergies are estimated to cost the U.S. health-care industry $18 billion per year.
Lastly, choosing an insurance plan that fits your budget and health requirements can help reduce costs. Many Americans have medical insurance, and most policies pay for allergy treatment to some degree. If you must make an insurance choice, knowing the difference between the types of managed care is important. Here's a quick look:
HMO: A health maintenance organization requires you to choose a "primary care" physician within their network, who in turn will refer you to an allergist or any other specialist. HMOs generally cost less, but you forfeit choice.
POS: A point of service plan is a cross between an HMO and PPO. Like an HMO, you'll need a primary care physician. However, as with a PPO, you can select any doctor outside that plan, although you'll pay more.
No matter which health insurance plan you choose, be inquisitive about the policy since there is no predicting the extent of your allergy treatment. For some people, allergies may be controlled with one visit to an allergist and one antihistamine prescription. For others, a commitment to several years of allergy shots may be necessary. Since treatments vary, allergy sufferers should cover all angles with insurance policy questions, including the following:
- Will I have the freedom to choose my own allergist? If not, how far away is the allergist I must see?
- Are allergists on the plan's network certified by the American Board of Allergy and Clinical Immunology?
- Will my insurance cover allergy tests and allergy shots? How much will my insurance pay for allergy tests and weekly allergy shots?
- What percentage does the insurance pay for prescription drugs? (This can play a major factor in decision-making. Few, if any, prescribed allergy medications come in the less expensive "generic form.")
- Does insurance cover special allergy medication or equipment such as EpiPens? Specialized skin creams? Anti-inflammatory drugs?
- Will insurance cover alternative therapies? If so, must I first obtain a written prescription from my allergist?
It is hard to predict the exact cost of prescription allergy medication since costs vary depending on your insurance coverage and where you purchase the medications. Because discount warehouse stores buy in bulk, they often have cheaper prices. The costs listed below represent an average of what you might expect to pay per month.
Prescription Antihistamines
Clarinex: 30 (5 mg) tablets: $77
Allegra: 30 (180 mg) tablets: $76
Zyrtec: 30 (10 mg) tablets: $63
Nasal Sprays
Beconase AQ: 25 gm: $90
Flonase: 50 mcg: $70
Nasacort AQ: 55 mcg: $68
Nasarel: 29 mcg: $49
NasalCrom: 13 ml: $10; 26 ml: $16 (This is nonprescription and won't last a month.)
Rhinocort Aqua: 32 mcg: $70
Immunotherapy Costs
Out-of-pocket expenses for allergy shots depend on several factors, notably insurance coverage, the number of extracts needed, and the number of allergy shots you need per week. On average, the cost of one allergen extract for one year is around $310 (no insurance). However, many people suffer from multiple allergies, requiring one extract for, say, pollen and another for pet dander. Biweekly or weekly visits to the allergist differ in cost depending on the doctor's fee schedule and your insurance company's policies. Remember this is a four-year plan, whereas medication costs can go on and on and on.
With a strong working knowledge of when to seek treatment and how costly it will be, it is time to select the right doctor for you. In the next section, we will talk about the qualities you should seek in a care provider.
This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.
The brand name products mentioned in this publication are trademarks or service marks of their respective companies. The mention of any product in this publication does not constitute an endorsement by the respective proprietors of Publications International, Ltd. or HowStuffWorks.com, nor does it constitute an endorsement by any of these companies that their products should be used in the manner described in this publication.
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Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this How Stuff Works article:
Lundgren, Linnea, and Jeff Wald. "Allergy Treatment Basics." 03 May 2006. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://health.howstuffworks.com/allergy-treatments-ga.htm> 17 May 2008.
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DISEASES AND CONDITIONS GLOSSARY:
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