Alana’s Lyme Journey – Part 13 – Covering the costs of treatment – is it worth it all?

 

Still able to manage all the medical expenses

I just found out today that my insurance is questioning my IV antibiotic treatments for Lyme. My doctor wants me to start paying cash per visit in order to continue treatment. Thankfully, we are still able to manage the costs. My husband and I, continue to pray about it and just trust that the Lord will provide. I will, however, try to file these out-of-pocket-costs on my own with my insurance company.

Why the government won’t allow treatment for Chronic Lyme disease

I think my improvement on my health is all worth the costsHealth Improvement

Although I got sick during my last infusion, the last few days I have felt really good. Since lowering my dosage from 2 grams per treatment down to one gram, I am starting to walk better again and I’ve also noticed that the joints in my hands are not as achy. I still have the numbness in my hands and can tell that I’ve lost some grip strength. So, despite the increase in personal costs, I do see some improvement in my symptoms. My prayer now is that I won’t have to do the IV treatments for an extended period of time.

Bull's-eye rash

More about Lyme disease

Lyme disease is an infectious auto-immune disease caused by bites of deer ticks infected with the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. This type of illness is an endemic in the Northern Hemisphere or in temperate regions. In the United States, Lyme disease is one of the common tick-borne diseases. Almost every state have reported cases of Lyme disease, and as of 2012, ninety-five percent of reported cases of Lyme disease came from thirteen states such as Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York.

The all-time high number of Lyme incidences in the United States occurred in 2009, where both confirmed and probable cases reached their peak. Confirmed cases shot up to 30,000 (estimated) and the probable ones increased close to 40,000 (estimated).

Effect on a patients’ medical costs

Whether the expenses are shouldered by the Consultantspatient himself, the insurance companies or the taxpayers, the cost of Lyme disease treatment can be exorbitant. Depending on the gravity of the disease and duration of the treatment, the costs of the consultations and medicines vary. At most, Lyme disease treatments can cost up from $20,000 to $70,000 — as much as the cost of treating more serious diseases like cancer or even AIDS.

 

Lyme Disease MedicationThat amount may not even count treatments for post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) as well as the controversially-named chronic Lyme disease.

If you’re not feeling well and believe you’ve got a tick bite, it’s very recommended that you should have a checkup as early as possible especially if you live near the woods or in a tick-infested area. Not only it will save you from worse symptoms, but an early checkup will also save you a lot of medical bills.

What Lyme cost

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