Cyclobenzaprine Cost
Cyclobenzaprine (sye kloe BEN za preen), the generic version of Flexeril, is a muscle relaxer to help with muscle pain, spasms and stiffness.
The medication is often used alongside rest and/or physical therapy by blocking the nerve impulses which are sent to the brain.
How much does cyclobenzaprine cost?
As with any medication, the cost of cyclobenzaprine will depend upon the dosage, the quantity prescribed and the pharmacy you use. When we researched five popular pharmacies — CVS, Walgreens, Sam’s Club, Costco and Walmart, we found the average price per pill, without insurance, to be $0.43 per tablet. Remember to factor in the doctor visit as well, seeing you will need a prescription for the medication.
| Dosage | Price Estimate |
|---|---|
| 5 MG | - 30 tablets: $13 - 50 tablets: $15 - 100 tablets: $17 |
| 10 MG | - 30 tablets: $13 - 50 tablets: $15 - 100 tablets: $17 |
As most generic medication is covered by Medicare and private insurance, the same can be said about cyclobenzaprine. According to GoodRX.com, more than 95% of Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans cover the drug, with the reported co-pays ranging anywhere from $2 to $26. Check with your insurance company and/or local pharmacy to see what you will be responsible for at the time of pickup. If you do not have a health insurance plan, then consider the pharmacy discounted websites where you’re able to download a coupon, print it and take it to your local pharmacy for instant savings.
Cyclobenzaprine overview
Take the medicine as prescribed by your doctor. As per the drug instructions, it’s recommended you take with a full glass of water, and if you find the medication upsets your stomach, then it’s best to take it with either food or water. Most patients will take a dosage as a short-term option, no longer than three weeks, usually three times a day, but your results will vary.
Never take more or less as directed and be sure to follow a strict schedule unless advised by your doctor. If you do miss a dosage, take it as soon as you can unless it’s close to your next dosage time; if this were the case, then you will want to take your next dosage and skip the one you missed. If you have any questions in regards to your dosing and schedule, always reach out to your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Cyclobenzaprine side effects
Reported side effects include drowsiness, constipation, tiredness, dry mouth, allergic reactions, chest pain, breathing problems, a fast heartbeat, hallucinations, seizures, headaches and/or nausea. This is not a full list describing all of the side effects you may occur while taking the medication. For a full list, refer to this FDA fact sheet in regards to the drug for more information on the side effects and information. Always talk to your doctor about any side effects you may be experincing with the medication.
Tips to know
As with any medication, store away from children and pets. With cyclobenzaprine, store in a tightly closed container at room temperature, around 59 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Any medicine that has passed its expiration date should be disposed of properly. Never flush or throw away your prescriptions. If unsure of how to dispose of, talk with your local pharmacy or doctor for more information as to the options in your area.
You may become drowsy while using the medication. Do not operate heavy machinery, drive or do anything in regards to requiring mental alertness. If you’re an older patient, you will want to avoid sitting or standing up to quickly as this can increase the chances of a dizzy and/or fainting spell for some patients.
Doxycycline Hyclate Cost
Doxycycline hyclate, the generic version of Acticlate and Vibramycin, is a prescription-based drug designed to treat many infections, including dental, respiratory, skin and urinary tract infections, to name a few. Aside from treating infections, the medication can also treat malaria, some sexually transmitted disease, Lyme disease and acne.
How much does doxycycline hyclate cost?
The cost of doxycycline, as with any prescription, will depend on the dosage, your health insurance policy and the pharmacy you choose. From our research, without any health insurance, you should be prepared to spend about $0.95 per capsule, but this price can drop if you were to be prescribed a larger prescription at once.
As the dosages and quantities can affect the price, we organized the price estimates we received from popular pharmacy chains such as Sam’s Club, Walmart, Costco, CVS and Walgreens.
| Dosage | Price Estimate (without insurance) |
|---|---|
| 20MG | - 30 capsules: $20 - 50 capsules: $25 - 100 capsules: $37 |
| 50MG | - 50 capsules: $50 - 100 capsules: $75 - 150 capsules: $100 |
| 100MG | - 50 capsules: $50 - 100 capsules: $65 - 150 capsules: $82 |
Being a generic prescription, almost all private health insurance policies and Medicare policies will cover the drug, with co-pays reported to be anywhere from $1 to more than $80. Check with both your private health insurance policy and your pharmacy to see what you will be responsible for as all health insurance policies will greatly vary.
Doxycycline overview
This medication, also referred to as a tetracycline antibiotic, is designed to treat a variety of bacterial infections, including those that often cause acne. It can also be used to prevent malaria. This medication can only treat bacterial infections and will not work on viral infections such as the common cold and/or flu.
To use, it will often be taken orally at least one to two hours before a meal, usually once or twice a day, as directed by your doctor. If taken for malaria, for example, then it’s taken once a day, usually one to two days before your travel date and throughout your trip, even when you return home, up to four weeks. It’s best to take the medication with a full glass of water unless your doctor tells you otherwise. If stomach upset occurs while taking the medication, then you may want to consider taking it with food or milk as this is known to help; however, do keep in mind that it may not work as well as anything high in calcium can cause the medication to lose its effectiveness.
The liquid form of this medication must be shaken well before and the special spoon inside should be used for appropriate measurements.
Always take the medication as prescribed by your doctor, even if you feel the symptoms are disappearing. If you were to stop the medication too early, for instance, then it could allow the bacteria to continue to grow again.
Doxycycline side effects
Commonly reported side effects include an upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea. If any side effects persist or even worsen, always talk with a medical professional immediately for more information on the next steps to take.
Serious side effects, albeit rare, can still occur, including kidney problems, painful swallowing skull pressure, severe headaches, vision changes and/or persistent vomiting. In some cases, again, being rare, serious allergic reactions can occur.
This is not a full list of side effects; to see the full list, refer to this official FDA documentation.
Tips to know
As with any prescription, always tell your doctor your medical history, especially if you have a history of problems swallowing and/or esophagus-related problems such as heartburn.
As the medication does have live bacterial, vaccinations may not work as they should if you were to get vaccinated while on the medicine.
In some cases, this medication may make you sensitive to the sun. Limit your sun exposure and as always, avoid tanning beds and use the appropriate amount of sunscreen when out.
Store at room temperature, away from younger children, pets and moisture. Refer to the packaging directions as to how to properly store your medications.
Malaria Vaccine Cost
Malaria found in humans is caused by one of the protozoan species, transmitted via the bite of a female mosquito or occasionally by a blood transfusion or congenitally from the mother to the fetus. This serious disease can be life-threatening.
The risks of acquiring malaria will vary depending on the area you’re visiting, often in hot and humid areas such as parts of South Asia and Africa, but in the end, deaths due to malaria are preventable.
While no vaccine is available at this time, prescription drugs, known as antimalarials, are available, which we will discuss below.
How much does malaria pills cost?
The cost of a malaria medication will depend on where you get your prescription filled, your insurance policy (if you have one), the type of prescription, how long you plan on traveling and your geographical region. Remember, as mentioned, there is no vaccination available at the moment and the pills will only be effective when taken before, during and after the trip as per the schedule.
From our research, most clinics charged anywhere from $50 to $75 for the appointment, including the medication prescription for a short-term visit, often less than 14 days or about $1 to $5 per day for the necessary amount of pills for longer stays.
| Medication | Description | Average Price (without insurance) |
|---|---|---|
| Atovaquone/Proguanil (Malarone) | Take 2-3 days before arriving, once a day once at location and stop 7 days after leaving. | $1-$3 per pill |
| Doxycycline | Start two to three days before the trip and stopping 28 days after leaving the area. Taken once a day. | $2-$3 per pill |
| Mefloquine (Lariam) | Start 7 days prior to the trip and stopping 28 days after leaving the area. Taken weekly. | $4-$5 per pill |
| Chloroquine | Start 7 days prior to the trip and stopping 28 days after leaving the area. Taken weekly. | $4-$5 per pill |
At the Denver Public Health Department, for example, its official website notes a travel consultation, which includes Malaria prescriptions, will cost $60 for the first adult and $25 for each additional child.
The CVS Minute Clinic, according to its official pricing sheet, states the malaria medication and the visit will cost $59 to $69.
Do keep in mind that this medicine will not protect you 100 percent from getting malaria as it must be combined with personal protective measures we note below.
How does the drug work?
An antimalarial will work in the bloodstream to suppress the symptoms by inhibiting any parasite development in the red blood cells. A doctor will recommend you take the medication before your arrival, during your visit and after departure, especially if you’re in a higher risk area. These drugs will not prevent the disease, however, but continuing your dosage, as per your schedule, will ensure any lingering parasites will die.
Malaria symptoms
Most often, malaria is associated with flu-like symptoms, which could include a fever, chills, body aches, fatigue and/or headaches, often occurring in intervals. According to the CDC, close to 1,500 malaria cases are diagnosed in the United States every year, and each one of these cases, according to the organization, did not take the proper precautions before leaving on their trip.
How to prevent malaria
On the market today, there are no drugs which are designed to protect against malaria 100 percent; however, taking the preventable measures to protect yourself, you can drastically reduce your chances. Mosquitoes that do carry malaria are known to have nocturnal feeding habits, meaning the transmission will occur between dusk and dawn, so if you know you will be out at this time, you will want to consider the following steps to protect yourself:
- Always ensure you’re in a well-screened area that uses mosquito nets treated with Permethrin.
- Wear clothing that can be treated with Permethrin and covers most of the body.
- At all times, use an insect repellent that contains the appropriate amounts of DEET.
- In sleeping quarters, use insecticides as recommended.
Tips to know
Depending on where you travel, your physician may recommend mosquito prevention tips rather than prescribing the prescription. If you find yourself in an area at high risk, as seen in this graphic, then there’s a good chance the medication will be prescribed. Your doctor will want to know your exact itinerary, the time of year you plan on visiting, how you’re traveling and the accommodations you can expect.
As you can see from the descriptions in our table above, some medication only needs to be taken once a week, while other medication needs to be taken daily. Since you have to stick to a strict schedule in order for it to work, it’s important you choose a medication you’re comfortable with, whether it’s taking it every week or daily.
Just like taking the dosage daily or weekly, the same can be said about the duration as some drugs need to be taken well after your trip completes, often as long as 28 days, whereas other drugs can be stopped in as early as a week. Be sure to ask yourself how long you want to take the medication, even after your trip ends.
TravelReadyMD.com highly advises you do not purchase your malaria medication aboard as up to 40 percent of the medication sold is counterfeit.
Some medication is not effective in certain parts of the world. For example, Malarone and doxycycline can work everywhere, but mefloquine is not as effective in parts of Asia. This is why it’s so important your doctor knows of your itinerary before your prescription is written.
Clindamycin Cost
Clindamycin, the generic version of Cleocin T, is an antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial infections as well as help stop growth of certain bacterias that can cause acne.
How much does clindamycin cost?
As clindamycin is a generic, is it much cheaper than the branded version, Cleocin T. The costs, like all prescription drugs, will depend on your insurance policy, the dosage, the type (capsule, phosphate gel/ lotion, etc) and the pharmacy you have your prescription filled. From our research, the average costs, without any insurance coverage, can range from $0.66 per capsule or about $1.33 per milliliter.
With a variety of options, refer to our table below to see what you may pay at a local pharmacy. These quotes were gathered from a variety of pharmacies we talked to such as Walgreens, Sam’s Club, Costco, CVS and Walmart.
| Type of Clindamycin | Average Price Reported (without health insurance) |
|---|---|
| CLINDAMYCIN HCL 150 MG CAPSULE | - 30 capsules: $20 - 50 capsules: $25 - 100 capsules: $33 |
| CLINDAMYCIN PHOS 1% PLEDGET | - 60 capsules: $35 - 120 capsules: $55 - 180 capsules: $80 |
| CLINDAMYCIN PH 1% SOLUTION | - 30 mls: $40 - 60 mls: $50 - 90 mls: $65 |
Almost all health insurance plans and Medicare will cover this prescription, and depending on your policy, the co-pays reported online varied anywhere from $0 to $20. To know for sure, talk with either the pharmacy you plan on using or talk with your insurance company for more information.
On this Walgreens Valued-Priced Medication list, clindamycin, according to the sheet, is priced as a Tier 3 drug, meaning you will pay a flat rate of $15 for a 30-day supply or $30 for a 90-day supply.
Clindamycin overview
Clindamycin, either taken as an injection or via a capsule, is used to help treat bacterial infections or for those who had an allergic reaction to penicillin. The injections, however, will not work with colds, flus and viral infections.
For injections, a health professional will give you the injection inside of a hospital setting, into either the muscle or a vein. In most cases, your doctor will recommend a few doses of the injections until the symptoms improve, and from there, he or she will then recommend the oral medicine as it will work in the same way.
As a capsule, the medication will be taken via the mouth, either with or without food, about four times a day or every six hours as directed by your doctor. The dosage will depend on your medical condition, your weight and the response to your current treatment. It’s recommended you take it with a full glass of water or unless your doctor directs you otherwise.
Always be sure to take this medication as indicated by your doctor on time, without stopping early or altering your schedule without your doctor’s permission. Stopping this medication early can, in some instances, result in the return of the infection. Talk to your doctor immediately if your condition lingers and/or worsens over time.
Store at room temperature, away from any direct sunlight or moisture. Keep out of reach from young children and pets.
Clindamycin side effects
Common side effects include nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea, and if any of these effects persist, you will want to contact your pharmacy and/or doctor immediately.
While many do not report serious side effects, they can still exist, including heartburn, yellowing eyes/skin, darker urine and/or joint pain/swelling. Prolonged usage of the medicine can also result in a yeast infection or oral thrush. If any new symptoms arise before you started taking the medicine, then you will want to, again, talk to your doctor immediately.
Serious allergic reactions, also rare, can occur such as lymph node swelling, rashes, itching, dizziness, and/or troubled breathing.
This is a not a complete list of side effects; for a full list, refer to this official FDA list.
Tips to know
It has been known that clindamycin may cause live bacterial vaccines to not work as they should. It’s wise not to have any vaccinations while using this medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
The medication can pass into breast milk. If breastfeeding, talk with your doctor before filling your prescription.
Long Island Medium Appointment Cost
If you ever wanted a reading from Theresa Caputo, the star of the show Long Island Medium, it can be done, but it’s going to come at a price and there’s no guarantee you will get one as she is considered to be one of the most popular celebrity mediums right now.
Long Island medium private appointment cost
According to the official website of Theresa Caputo, she notes, at the time of this publishing, that she is booked for at least two years and has an extensive waiting list. If you were to write in, email or fill out the online form, you will be added to the list, however, it will not guarantee an appointment. She tends to choose those based on geographical location, availability and those who are comfortable being on television. For that reason, while she seems to offer readings, they will be very limited to the public, just like other mediums such as Tyler Henry, for example.
Now, if you are one of the lucky ones who are able to get an appointment, the costs for a reading, again, according to her website, will range from $50 to $175, depending on if it’s either a group or individual reading. All of this money, according to Caputo, will be donated to a charity such as Meals on Wheels, the Stonybrook Foundation and Long Island Veterans.
How to get a reading
On tour: Aside from being lucky by getting a private or group reading, you can buy tickets for an upcoming tour. Granted, this will not guarantee you a reading as your chances of being picked out from the crowd will be slim, but, it’s like playing the lotto — you can’t win if you don’t play. Tickets for her tour, according to Ticketmaster, can range from $50 to $150+
Win a contest: Right now, at the time of this publishing, TLC, the channel her show runs, is offering a contest to win a reading for free. Much like the tour, it can be hard to win, but again, most of these contests are free and you will have nothing to lose, so why not try?
Book signings: According to Amazon.com, Teresa has a few books, such as Good Grief: Heal Your Soul, Honor Your Loved Ones, and Learn to Live Again and There’s More to Life Than This: Healing Messages, Remarkable Stories, and Insight About the Other Side from the Long Island Medium, to name a few. As with most authors, she does go on book signing tours, allowing you the chance to meet her. While she will not guarantee a reading at her book signings, this is by far your best chance to at least try seeing that you will see her face-to-face, even if it is for a few seconds.
Contact her: As mentioned above, you can contact her via the contact form on her website or you can send her mail to her address: PO Box 490 in Hicksville, New York. Again, be prepared to be put on a long wait list, and again, there’s no guarantee you will even be selected.
Twitter of Facebook: She is quite active on Twitter and sending her a short and unique tweet may get you a response, but, again, the chances of this happening are quite slim. The same can be said about her Facebook page, another social media option she is quite active on.
Fan club: On her website, she does have a free fan club you can join, and occasionally, she will reach out to her fans with news via an email newsletter. Connecting with her fan club may offer you the opportunity to learn about her whereabouts before the public does.
Cytopoint Injection Cost
Cytopoint (Zoetis) is a medication designed to help dogs with skin allergies, commonly referred to as atopic dermatitis in the medical world.
With Cytopoint, the itch from these skin allergies can be controlled, helping the dog’s skin heal, allowing your dog to enjoy their life.
Cytopoint will require a prescription from your veterinarian and must be refrigerated at all signs.
How much does Cytopoint cost?
The cost of Cytopoint injections will depend on the vet you use, your geographical location and the dosage required (based on your dog’s weight), depending on your dog’s circumstances.
Glancing online, the costs for just the injections range from as little as $35 for a 10-milligram vial to as much as $70+ for a 40-milligram vial, and again, this is just for the vial, not the vet’s office fee. These injections, not include the veterinarian office fee, will need to be added to the total since you will need a prescription for the said injection. In conclusion, the average Cytopoint injection at your local vet’s office can cost about $65 to $130+, but for dogs larger than 80 pounds, more than one vial will be necessary, effectively increasing the costs.
| Dosage | Average Cost (JUST for vial) |
|---|---|
| 10mg | $45 |
| 20mg | $60 |
| 30mg | $70 |
| 40mg | $85 |
Refer to the chart below to see how many vials your dog would need and take the price averages above. From there, add in your vet office examination fee, often around $35 to $65, to get an idea as to how much you may have to pay:
As the injections only offer relief for up to either weeks, you will need to continue these injections to prevent the itching.
At 1800PetMeds.com, for instance, the company , with prices ranging from as little as $35 for the 10-milligram vial to as much as $70 for the 40-milligram vial. Due to the refrigeration required for the vials, overnight shipping will be an additional cost and syringes will be another separate purchase if you were to need them. While you can purchase the vial from an online pharmacy, you will need a prescription from your local vet in order to purchase it legally.
How does Cytopoint work?
Cytopoint is designed to target and neutralize interleukin (IL)-31, which is the cytokine that causes your dog to itch due to their allergies. Once Cytopoint is injected beneath your dog’s skin, it will start to work within the first 24 hours and can provide up to six to eight weeks of relief. In comparison to other injections and drugs, Cytopoint is considered a biological therapy, meaning it’s a non-pharmaceutical treatment which works in a way similar to that of your dog’s immune system, containing engineered antibodies that are very similar to your dog’s natural antibodies. In this way, the injections were designed to target and neutralize the main proteins responsible for sending those itch signals to the dog’s brain.
Side effects
Possible side effects may include an allergic reaction, facial swelling or hives. If any of these side effects were to occur, then treatment would be recommended immediately.
Tips to know
The vial, if you wanted to inject your dog at home, will require refrigeration, meaning if you were to purchase it online, it needs to arrive at your doorstep in as little time as possible. This, depending on who you purchase from, can lead to additional shipping expenses.
All vials are for single use only as it does not contain any preservatives. After puncturing the vial and using, it should be discarded.
Cytopoint is best used by a veterinarian or under the direction of one.
As the injections are considered to be biological therapy and not considered a drug, it will be naturally broken down by the body and will not be eliminated via the liver or kidneys like other drugs.
As mentioned, injections can provide relief for up to eight weeks, but the manufacturer of the drug, via its official website, wants you to track your dog’s history with its Itch Tracker. With this information, based on a 1 to 100 scale, this can help your vet determine how the itch has gone down over time and how effective the injections were for your dog as every dog will vary with results.
Leptospirosis Vaccine Cost
Leptospirosis, otherwise known as Lepto, is a spiral-shaped bacteria that is often associated with standing water, and the theory among medical professionals is that wildlife, such as raccoon, can carry this sort of bacteria in their urine, and when they urinate in the water, this bacteria could penetrate your dog’s skin, acquiring the bacteria, whether he or she is swimming, jumping and/or drinking the said water.
Sadly, if your dog were to acquire Lepto, it could make your dog very sick and could even be fatal if left untreated, with treatment consisting of IV fluids and multiple days inside of a hospital on antibiotics, according to VetChick.com.
The cost of the leptospirosis vaccine for dogs
The cost of the leptospirosis vaccine on its own can cost about $20 to $30 in total, while a veterinarian office exam fee, depending on your vet and geographical location, can add another $35 to $65 to this total, effectively bringing the grand total to $55 to $95 if performed inside of your vet’s office.
At the Arizona Humane Society, for instance, the Leptospirosis vaccine is $21 and the office exam fee is another $30 per pet, bringing the total to $51, while the Humane Society of Southern Arizona charges $13 per vaccination.
Leptospirosis vaccination schedule
For puppies, the first vaccine is administered at 12 weeks and is repeated two and four weeks later, according to VetStreet.com.
As for older puppies older than four months, adult puppies that receive the vaccination for the first time will receive two doses two to four weeks apart, depending on the vet’s recommendation.
An annual revaccination is highly recommended for any dogs at an increased risk of the leptospirosis-causing organism and does make it more effective.
Dogs at a higher-than-average risk should be vaccinated every six months.
Which dogs are at risk?
Technically, all dogs are said to be at risk as leptospira can be found around the globe. However, because of how it is spread, dogs who spend their time around rural lakes, ponds, rivers or related bodies of water will be considered to be more susceptible than a dog that spends most of its time indoors. As rural dogs are exposed to more wildlife than an indoor dog or one that roams the city, the chances of the water and surrounding soil could be much greater at risk due to the said animals and their urine. In the end, leptospirosis has been found everywhere, whether it’s a rural area or city suburb. Even if you think you’re safe in the city, remember there’s the chance of rates roaming which could put your dog at risk.
Leptospirosis vaccine side effects
The leptospirosis vaccine side effects, as per the VCA Hospitals, can include lethargy for a few days, loss of appetite, a shock-like reaction for some breeds and/or a skin rash, often on a hairless area.
Tips to know
Because this is considered a non-core vaccine, dog owners can decide as to whether they want the vaccine or not. While it is recommended by some vets, some will not recommend it, so your results will vary. However, seeing lepto is considered to be a zoonotic disease, this simply means it can affect humans as well if your dog were to contract it.
According to veterinarians, confirming this disease, if your dog were to have it, is extremely tough as there is really no known “good” Lepto test. While tests do perform, the traditional test will only show exposure to the disease, meaning if your dog was exposed to the bacteria in the past and effectively fought it off, it could show a false positive in a sense. While a newer test is on the market and is only available via select laboratories, known as the PCR, according to VetChick.com, it is only designed in a way to detect smaller amounts of Leptospirosis, but it can be rather pricey.
If you know your dog needs more than one vaccination, try to get as many administered at once to bring down the costs. Some vets may even offer a vaccination package where you pay a flat fee for all of the vaccinations listed in the bundle. Since a vet’s office will always charge an office examination fee, regardless of which tests, vaccinations or lab work is done, it’s best to combine as much as possible to save on future examination costs. At the Vetco Clinics, for instance, a “healthy dog/puppy” package, including a distemper/parvo combo, bordetella, lepto and round/hook dewormer, will cost $69. On its own, the vaccination will cost $35.
To prevent lepto, while not guaranteed, you should be prepared to protect your dog from any standing water, a puddle of water and any public lakes, rivers, streams or bodies of water. While this could be hard for a dog accustomed to an outdoor lifestyle, precautions, as a dog owner, must be made to limit your chances.
I-693 Medical Exam Cost
According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, all applicants who are filing for an adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident must submit a Form I-693, which needs to be filled out via a designated civil surgeon.
This examination, essentially, will be required to establish that the applicant is not inadmissible to the United States on public health grounds.
The cost of an I-693 medical exam
The costs of an I-693 medical exam, as per the people who did share their quotes online, claimed the costs would depend on your health insurance (if you have it), your geographical location, the doctor you choose and if you need any immunizations based on your past.
Since health insurance, most of the time, will not cover this type of exam, most claim you should be prepared to spend anywhere from $300 to $500 for the entire exam, plus some vaccinations and lab work, if you were to need all of them, for instance. However, if you were up to date with your vaccination schedule, then the costs could be as little as $120 to $250. Do keep in mind that some doctors may bill this type of exam as an annual examination, but greatly depending on your health insurance policy, again, if you have one, will greatly depend on the policy you have. Be sure to check with your insurance policy to see if they would cover the I-693 medical exam, and if so, what the restrictions are.
Because the USCIS will not regulate the fees, you will find the rates will vary by physicians.
| Test | Average Price Reported |
|---|---|
| Just the exam | $120-$250 (about 10% less for children) |
| Varicella (chicken pox) titer | + $40-$65 |
| Measles, mumps and rubella titers | + $50-$100 |
| Immunizations | + $20-$40 each |
| Quantiferon Gold blood test for TB | + $75-$125 |
| Urine test for gonorrhea | + $25-$40 |
| Blood test for syphilis | + $45-$70 |
| Chest X-ray | + $70-$110 |
NOTE: As everyone’s health history is different, the prices for you can be much more (or less) than someone else. Take a look at what may be needed during your medical exam and add up the costs to get an idea as to how much you may pay. These are just estimates and price estimates designed for those who are having the testing done inside of the doctor’s office.
As we did find many people who did share the costs they paid, we compiled a list of the prices they paid, as well as the source of where we found the information inside the table below:
| Quotes found online... | |
|---|---|
| Quoted $120 to $220 without any vaccinations or about $460 if all vaccinations and medical exam were done at once | SOURCE |
| $310 for the medical exam, TB skin test, Tdap vaccine, varicella and flu shot | SOURCE |
| $320 for all vaccines plus exam | SOURCE |
| $220 for basic but $50 more for the MMR vaccine and/or $120 for chicken pox vaccine (if needed) | SOURCE |
| $80 for paperwork and another $120 for MMR | SOURCE |
| $195 for all blood tests, TB test and vaccinations | SOURCE |
| $275 for exam, TB test, vaccination and bloodwork | SOURCE |
| $275 for just the exam | SOURCE |
| $320 for just exam | SOURCE |
Dr. Ilene Z Coopersmith, located in Brooklyn, New York, for example, states that the cost of a medical examination at their location is $275. This fee will include a skin test for tuberculosis and immunization titers. If you were to need a chest x-ray, then the fee would be an additional $40, while the confirmation of the RPR website, if positive, would be another $80.
What to bring to your appointment
Bring in the Form I-693, known as the Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record
A government-issued photo I.D., such as a passport or driver’s license. For those who are younger than 14 years old, then they recommend you bring in some sort of identification, such as a birth certificate or affidavit, which displays the name, parent’s full name and date of birth.
All vaccination records, with evidence of immunizations such as DT, DTP, DTaP, Td, Tdap, OPV, IPV, MMR, Hib, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, varicella, pneumococcal influenza, rotavirus and meningococcal disease.
Health insurance card, if you have it, as some doctor’s offices will accept it.
Call the authorized doctor’s office ahead of time to know what you’re responsible for and what kind of authorized payments they can accept. With this information, be sure to bring in the full amount on the day of your appointment.
What happens during the I-693 exam?
According to USCIS.gov, the doctor tests for any sort of communicable diseases such as tuberculosis and syphilis. The tuberculosis test will be done in two parts, meaning you will have to come back to the office two to three days later to have your results read. The syphilis is a simple blood test. A chest x-ray will be taken at this time as well if required.
After these two tests are performed, your doctor will then review your immunization record and will let you know which vaccinations you require, based on your history, today.
Once the exam completes, your doctor will complete the Form I-693 and will seal the envelope for you to give to the officials. Before the doctor seals the envelope, however, the government does recommend you receive a copy for your own records. The USCIS will deny any envelopes which have been tampered with and/or has been opened.
In the end, the minimum requirements, as per the USCIS, will include a physical exam, all blood work, a urine test, tuberculosis testing an all vaccinations as recommended by the CDC, such as measles, mumps and rubella.
Tips to know
To save money on your vaccinations, ask your civil surgeon if you’re able to receive the injections elsewhere to save on the costs. From what we read, you should be able to do so as long as you bring evidence back to the surgeon that the correct immunizations were done. For some, many went to the local health department to cut down on the costs.
Always make sure you go to an approved doctor for your I-693 form as failing to do so will be money wasted since the United States will not accept it. To find an authorized doctor, be sure to use the official doctor search at USCIS.gov.
Be sure to shop around as most offices will greatly vary in its pricing. As long as you know which vaccinations you need ahead of time, most offices will be able to give you a quote over the phone.
Cost of LAP-BAND® Surgery
The LAP-BAND® system is an FDA-approved, adjustable gastric band used in the LAP-BAND® procedure.
A silicone-like belt that wraps around the upper portion of your stomach, your stomach will shrink to the size of a golf ball after the procedure completes, only allowing you to hold an ounce of food. As a result, you will lose most of your appetite, feel full quicker and will lose weight as time goes on.
As the system is adjustable, it will be connected to a port connected beneath the skin that can be inflated with saline to either tighten or expedite weight loss. The saline solution can be removed to loosen the band in the case side effects are felt.
The average cost of LAP-BAND® surgery
The cost of LAP-BAND® will depend on a variety of factors, including your geographical location, the surgeon you choose, insurance coverage and the facility.
From our research via multiple people who did post the quotes they received online, the costs for a straightforward procedure seemed to range anywhere from $9,000 to more than $30,000 without insurance, with the geographical region playing a large role in the pricing. Also, those who either had their insurance pick up a portion of the costs or even those who paid in cash tended to pay up to 20 to 30 percent less than those who had to set up financing via a third-party or the office they were working with.
Other costs, as we get into below in our “additional costs to consider subpage” can add to the total mentioned above.
Private insurance coverage can be a tricky area, but there are reports your insurance company may cover the procedure if you meet the requirements as per your policy details. In general, most health insurance companies require at least two comorbidities and a BMI of 35 or greater to be a candidate for the insurance company to cover the procedure. As all policies greatly vary, talk with your insurance provider to know the details to see how you can potentially be covered.
On this ObesityCoverage.com map, for example, their research indicated that Oklahoma, Texas, and Nebraska were the cheapest states to have the LAP-BAND® procedure done, with the average less than $11,000, whereas the highest priced states, Minnesota, New Mexico and Minnesota, all charged an average of more than $18,500.
Bariatric-surgery-source.com notes the average cost of the surgery is close to $3,500 with insurance or about $15,000 without. The costs, as noted by the website, states the out-of-pocket costs will depend on the chosen hospital, insurance plan, discounts, financing and tax savings.
The official LAP-BAND® website notes the system can generally cost anywhere from $8,000 to $18,000.
What’s included in the estimates?
All hospitals/facilities will vary with its billing policy, but from most of the quotes we did see, it should include the hospital fees, surgeon fees, surgical assistant fees, anesthesia fees, operating room fees as well as the device fees. However, this is not guaranteed, as, again, this will vary. To be certain, talk with the facility’s billing department ahead of time to know what you will be responsible for, even after you pay the surgery fees.
The additional costs to consider
Nutritionist appointments: For most, a new diet can be quite the challenge, and for that reason, multiple nutritionist appointments, costing about $50 to $100 each, will be necessary to get you on the right track to eating healthy and keeping the pounds off.
Health clearance: A psychologist and/or cardiologist appointment may be required for a mental health and heart health clearance.
Lab work: As with most surgical procedures, the lab work, prior to the procedure, needs to be considered as well. This can include blood work, an echocardiogram and/or x-ray fees.
Adjustment appointments or fills: The average LAP-BAND® fill, if not covered by your insurance company, can cost anywhere from $75 to $350 per fill visit, but this fee can often be part of a package before the surgery or even negotiated by some if you purchase more than one session at once. About six weeks after the surgery, usually about the time your stomach fully heals, your surgeon will want you to come in to adjust your fills to get over your weight loss plateau.
Follow-up visits: While most surgeons will offer a follow-up visit for free, as part of the surgery package, generally, there are some doctors who may charge for the visit. For this reason, it’s important to know what you’re getting for your fee when setting up your surgery appointment.
Complications: No surgery is perfect, and as long as you’re going under the knife, complications can occur. Even though complications are rare during the procedure, the costs of one, if it were to arise, can be quite costly.
Lifestyle changes: To be successful with the surgery, even after its performed, you will need to make the necessary lifestyle and diet changes. Remember, this procedure is designed to be life-changing, not a life-saving procedure. With all of this being said, a healthier diet, depending on how you ate before, could cost you more, while a gym member, often recommended by doctors after the procedure, could be an additional $10 to $75 per month.
Newer clothes: As you can imagine, you will drop quite a few pounds after the procedure, meaning you will need to purchase an entirely new wardrobe, and unless you have these clothes laying around, there’s going to be a good chance you will have to go on a shopping spree to purchase this new wardrobe. Depending on your style, preferences and what you plan on purchasing, a new wardrobe, as you can imagine, can cost you hundreds of dollars.
Plastic surgery: Due to the excessive sagging skin, additional plastic surgery may be needed to achieve the look you desire.
The procedure
Typically done in an outpatient or hospital setting, the entire procedure, from start to finish, will take about 60 to 90 minutes.
While under a general anesthesia, the LAP-BAND® surgery is often performed laparoscopically, which means the surgeon will create up to five small incisions as opposed to a larger single incision (open surgery). During this procedure, a small viewing tube, with a camera on its end, will be inserted into the small incision to guide the LAP-BAND® as its wrapped around the upper portion of the stomach. As the LAP-BAND® is locked into place, the rest of the stomach will stay in its natural position and the port will be inserted into the abdominal wall.
As time goes on, as mentioned in the introduction, the LAP-BAND® can be loosened or even tightened via this port by either filling or emptying the solution, a process referred to as a fill. For the first six weeks, according to yourbariatricsurgeryguide.com, the port is left empty.
Who is considered a candidate?
The surgery isn’t considered a magic pill, but instead, an option for those who are not seeing luck with the proper diet and exercise. According to the National Institutes of Health, a candidate will have a body mass index greater than 40, which equates to 80 pounds overweight for females and close to 100 pounds overweight for males.
Aside from the BMI, those who suffer from diabetes, high cholesterol levels and/or high blood pressure, as well as have a BMI greater than 30, you may be considered a candidate as well.
In some cases, the LAP-BAND® surgery may be considered an option for those who may be at a higher risk for the more invasive gastric bypass surgical options.
In the end, not everyone is considered a candidate as people who have an inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract and/or severe heart or lung disease, for instance, may not a candidate. Those who are also pregnant will not be considered as well until the pregnancy is complete.
Tips to know
Results will not be seen overnight, with the average person seeing about one to three pounds lost per week for the first year. This, eventually, will slow down around 12 to 18 months after the surgery was performed. On average, the average patient will see about 40 percent of their excess weight lost in the first year and 55 percent of their excess weight lost in the second year, and during this time, if you reached a plateau, your surgeon may consider the fill.
Risks and complications may include death, organ damage, circulatory damage, wound rupture, band deflation, slippage, band erosion, stomach pouch enlargement, eating-related problems, stomach irritation and other complications, to name a few.
Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine Cost
The Japanese Encephalitis vaccination is often recommended for travelers who plan on living or staying longer than 30 days during the Japanese Encephalitis season, present in rural parts of Asia.
This vaccine will protect against the viral disease, which is transmitted via the mosquitoes found inside of the rice paddies. While most cases are considered to be asymptomatic, less than one percent contract the disease, according to the CDC.
A serious infection caused by a virus present in parts of Asia, the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) can be spread among mosquitoes and other animals such as birds and pigs. If an infected mosquito were to bite a human, it could then lead to either an infection and/or illness.
Japanese encephalitis vaccine cost
The cost of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine will depend on your insurance coverage, the clinic you choose and how they bill. From what we researched, the vaccine is more than just the vaccine as some clinics will charge a consultation fee, as well as appointment fees since a series of two shots, administered four weeks apart. In total, plan on budgeting $100 per dose or about $300 in total when factoring in the office visit fee if necessary.
As the Japanese encephalitis vaccine is considered to be a travel vaccine, most health insurance policies, unless otherwise indicated, will consider it as an elective vaccine and will not cover it, meaning you will have to more than likely pay out of pocket. However, as stated, some insurance policies will cover this type of vaccine, but to be for certain, talk with your insurance provider to know your coverage as all policies will greatly vary.
According to one member on this LonelyPlanet.com forum thread, for instance, he paid $200 after his health insurance policy kicked in.
What’s included in the fee?
Before the shot is administered, most clinics/doctor offices will offer a consultation, asking you when you plan on traveling, where you plan on traveling and what you specifically plan on doing. Based on these answers, then the vaccine will either be recommended or advised you should probably skip it as the season is limited.
If you are a candidate for the vaccine, then the vaccination, as part of a two-part series, will be administered the first day, followed by a second shot four weeks later. The injection, as with most vaccine, will be made in the upper arm area.
After the 30 days, immunity can last up to two the three years and is known to be 99 percent effective against the disease.
Who should get the vaccination?
Adults who plan on living or traveling to rural Asia where the virus is known to be active. The vaccine, though, can be administered to anyone older than two months.
Those who remain at risk of exposure, even a year after the first vaccination was administered.
Any laboratory workers who may have been exposed to the virus.
Tips to know
Most people who become infected often do not see symptoms, but for some, they may experience a minor headache and/or fever. The most common symptom, as the vaccine name implies, is encephalitis, which is the swelling of the breath. For those who have a severe encephalitis infection, 25 percent of the cases resulted in death.
Side effects, according to Walgreens, may include soreness at the vaccination site and/or headaches or muscle aches. Serious and rarer side effects can include a high-grade fever, difficulty breathing, paleness, weakness, a fast heartbeat, dizziness and/or hives. If you experience any of these side effects, seek medical attention immediately.
If your health insurance doesn’t cover the vaccinations, try your local health department as this tends to be the cheapest option.
Plan ahead of time. As the vaccination needs to be administered over a four week period, it’s best to get the vaccination at least two months before you plan on traveling.
