Rheumatology diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are caused when the immune system attacks the healthy cells and tissues of the body, especially the synovium. RA is more common in women than in men. In this article, we will best attempt to clarify your doubts about the cost of rheumatoid arthritis treatment.
Rheumatism Treatment
Although there is no permanent cure for rheumatic diseases like RA, a variety of treatments are prescribed for managing the symptoms of the diseases, and they are listed below:
- Medications like NSAIDs, corticosteroids, analgesics, DMARDS, and biologics.
- Supportive products, assistive devices, and change in lifestyle.
- Physical therapy and occupational therapy
- Surgery
The expenses for the above-mentioned treatments for rheumatoid arthritis depend on factors like the severity of symptoms, the stage of the disease, and age. Also, depending on the type of health insurance plan, you may end up paying as much as 30% of the cost of drugs used in rheumatism treatment.
The Cost Of Specific Drugs And Other Potential Costs
- Depending on the type of medication, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs or DMARDs may cost between $1,500 to $2,000 per year.
- Biologics are a new type of drug used in the treatment of RA. They are costly, prescribed by a rheumatologist, and may cost between $1,300 to $3,000.
Sometimes, RA medications alone may not be fully effective, and in such cases, surgery may be required. For example, patients with severe joint damage may require a joint replacement or arthroscopic surgery. Remember that the average cost for knee replacement can be about $30,249.
Post-surgery, the costs may come in the form of assistive devices, physical therapy, and medications. Besides, many people may require therapy for dealing with the emotional impact of living with a chronic disease, and this can add up to the treatment cost of RA and other rheumatology diseases.
Indirect Cost Due To RA
RA may also result in indirect costs, and these are not due to medications. When you are suffering from this condition, it can lead to low productivity, which leads to lost wages. For example, you may not be able to work full time, and this can result in salary loss. According to a study, this can range from $1,500 to $22,000 per year.
We hope that the details shared above clarified your doubts about the cost of the treatment of rheumatology diseases like RA.
