Escalating Cost of Asthma Treatment : What You Can Do

James Thompson, MD is How are you doing? Health Professional Board Certified Allergist and Internist I spend most of my time treating patients with asthma and allergic... Send Message Subscribe: James Thompson, MD

Wednesday, February 11, 2009
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Okay, the economy is tanking, job security for many people is at an all-time low, cost of health insurance is increasing and medication costs are sky-rocketing. My comments will address healthcare expenses with emphasis on medication costs. What can you do? For many asthma suffere...

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Great Suggestions, Dr. Thompson!
Kathi MacNaughton
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 01:52 AM

I found these suggestions to be quite helpful. I'm not sure they'll apply to my situation, but they will help many people. One issue... my internist is in a managed practice, which appears to be quite a big business. I had 2 appointments with her a year ago to set up an asthma care plan (I'd not been under medical care for a couple of years). It cost me over $200 for the appointments, a flu shot and a pneumonia shot. It took me over 6 months to pay off that bill.

Needless to say, I haven't been anxious to go back in the last year. I'm grateful that when I use my inhaler regularly for my mild, persistent asthma, I can keep it under control, even during high allergy season. And I am a nurse, so I know how to spot the signs of declining asthma control early on.

But if I did get sick, I think it might be cheaper to go to the local urgent care, which only cost me about $50 a visit than my own doctor. I wonder how many other people have had similar experiences.

Until health care reform results in lower medicine and doctor's office costs, uninsured people like me are going to be tempted to cut corners in healthcare, despite the ultimate potential for health care problems.

Just my two cents...

re: Great Suggestions, Dr. Thompson!
James Thompson, MD
Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 09:57 PM

Hi Kathi,

Thank you for chiming in. Medical costs have soared over the years. There are more than 45 million Americans between the ages of 18 and 64 that are uninsured (2007 data). The number of people with no health insurance jumped about 2 million higher from 2005 to 2006 and has increased by 8 million since 2000.

I understand your dilemma with the visits to the doctor in managed care. Fortunately your experience in healthcare gives you an edge regarding the importance of controller medication and recognizing when you may need help. I'm afraid that the average asthma sufferer may be less fortunate and in attempts to avoid the charge of a doctor visit, delay quality care that may head off a severe asthma attack. One visit to the emergency department or hospital may give you a 5 to 10 thousand dollar bill (or higher). The Urgent Aid will send you to the hospital if the asthma is too severe or not responding.

I see some people in my office that have lost their health insurance or are self-pay. I try to make special arrangements for them regarding payment. Admittedly, they come in for fewer follow-ups compared to the insured patients (and I understand why). The more severe their asthma (by history) the more I encourage them to follow-up with me more often, in order to avoid getting severely ill (and risking life-threatening asthma or hospitalization).

I am very hopeful and prayerful that President Obama's healthcare plan will solve some of these problems.

Thanks Kathi,

JT