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Cost of Asthma Treatment

Although there is no cure for asthma, with proper treatment those who suffer from the condition can live live normal, healthy lives. However, that treatment can be very expensive--sometimes too expensive for those who need it.

  1. The High Cost of Asthma Treatment

    • Asthma is costly to treat, and because there is no cure, the expense is ongoing. People with moderate to severe asthma often need at least three drugs, according to the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America. A 2003 study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology estimated the annual costs for asthma treatment at more than $4,900 per person. That included direct costs, such as medicine and doctor or hospital visits, as well as indirect costs such as time off from work. Medication accounts for about half the cost of treatment.

    The High Cost of Asthma Medication

    • When the federal government mandated that asthma inhalers be CFC-free to protect the environment as of the beginning of 2009, prices went much higher. A rescue medication such as albuterol might have cost $13.50 before, but overnight that almost tripled for some people. Brand-name maintenance drugs such as Advair and Symbicort can cost $150 to $300 a month, and there are no lower-cost generic equivalents.

    Trying to Stretch Medication

    • As the costs for treatment rise, those on limited incomes might try to stretch their medication by using less. That can lead to asthma attacks and worsen the condition. A 2004 study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association found that when insurance co-payments doubled, asthma patients reduced the use of their drugs by 32 percent. They stopped taking their medicine every day, and some used it only for emergencies.

    Those who can't afford asthma treatment

    • In the 2005 Health Costs Survey sponsored by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Harvard School of Public Health, 43 percent of people with chronic health conditions, including asthma, said they couldn't afford their treatment. People without medical insurance were at the greatest risk. According to a 2005 study by the Urban Institute and the University of Maryland, more than 2 million Americans with asthma--one in every six-- didn't have insurance.

    Safer Way to Lower the Cost of Asthma Treatment

    • There are several safe ways to try to save money. First, ask your doctor about generic medicines instead of brand names; generics can be substantially cheaper. Ask your health care provider for free samples of your prescription drugs. If you have health insurance, look into mail-order prescriptions, as you might be able to get three prescriptions for the price of two. Moreover, some doctors use older medicines which are no longer widely used. These might include dyphylline or the corticosteroid prednisone. Finally, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (www.pparx.org or 1-888-477-2669) might be able to help you find a private assistance program.

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