Sunday, February 7, 2016

The Cost of Cancer, updated

We are still figuring out the Neulasta problem.  I have yet to get an actual bill from Dana-Farber so am not worrying about it (per their advice).  I have also seen a commercial for Neulasta on TV - I forget which cable channel - which mentions all kinds of concerning side affects that my oncologist never mentioned.  If I had seen the commercial before I had the injection the first time, I might have questioned it.  Or, I would have questioned the commercial... I've had no side affects at all from it, not even the joint achiness that is most common.  Now, thanks to the commercial, I'm waiting for my spleen to rupture...

Anyway.  I've gotten EOBs for three of the injections so far, all saying I'm responsible.  DFCI basically said they need to re-code that service.  I'm splitting out the cost now, because it blows my  mind that a teeny tiny injection would cost anybody $20K.  Of course I know nothing about the cost involved in developing, manufacturing, or distributing it - maybe it's cheap when all is said and done.

For your accounting pleasure, here's where we stand as of the last EOB I've received (1/22):

Chemotherapy              6,645.22
Chemotherapy-related  60,800.79 (Neulasta)
Clinic/Consultation        1,076.00
Emergency Room         1,949.00
Inpatient                      6,687.34
Labs/Scans                22,257.00
Medical Supplies             591.03
Surgery                     16,516.50

TOTAL                    116,522.88

And an updated out-of-pocket breakdown:
Clothing/supplies             125.68
Copays- appts                  75.00
Copays- scrips                 38.46
Food                             359.51
Parking                         520.00

TOTAL OOP               1,118.65

Happy grand total:     117,641.53

Sobering, it is.  My health insurance is life-saving.

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