How Much Does Reclast Infusion Cost?
Reclast, the brand name of the prescription drug zoledronic acid, is an intravenous injection of a bisphosphonate, which is able to slow down the cells that break down the bones, resulting in greater bone mass, effectively reducing the possibility of fractures.
It’s commonly used to treat and prevent osteoporosis or to increase bone mass.
The total cost of Reclast infusion depends on if insurance is involved, the clinic, the dose, the length of the infusion treatment, the doctor and inclusions in the bill.
How much does Reclast cost?
Most of the time, the costs for an infusion will be between $4,000 to $9,000 without insurance.
According to a forum member on this HealthCentral.com question thread, they claimed that in 2007, the retail price was around $800. This price, however, did not include the actual infusion price. Another forum member claimed that a 15-minute session cost $5,438. Most price ranges, within this forum thread, were between $4,000 to $6,500 without insurance.
Another forum thread on MedsChat.com discussed the costs of Reclast, with the original poster claiming he was billed $7,000, but his HMO insurance covered $5,800 of it. Aside from the original posters, other forum members stated they had paid anywhere from $1,500 to $12,000+
GoodRX, according to their price list, states a bottle of 5mg/100ml solution retails for $1,100 to $1,300 at most local pharmacies. This price, however, is for the solution only and won’t include the infusion center/hospital, doctor and miscellaneous fees charged.
What are the extra costs?
There are several costs associated with Reclast infusion other than the price of the medication. There are out-patient room fees, doctor and nurse fees, the charge of the actual infusion session and the cost of the drug itself. There are often four to five different fees associated with each infusion session, so the estimates mentioned above will be much higher when the infusion is completed and billed. A patient should ask for a written breakdown of all possible charges associated with the infusion session so there will be no surprises.
You will need follow-up appointments once the Reclast infusion therapy is completed. This will give the doctor a chance to see whether or not the treatment has worked.
If you experience any negative side effects from Reclast infusion, you may need other medication or therapy to resolve these issues.
Tips to know:
Reclast infusion is an injection of zoledronic acid that is given over a short period of time, usually 15 to 30 minutes. It is sometimes used to treat osteoporosis and is usually administered once yearly. When used for treating Paget’s Disease, it may be administered more often, however. The medication helps strengthen and thicken bones and can also be used to treat patients with bone cancer or thinning bones due to cancer treatments. Both men and women can undergo Reclast infusion therapy. The dosage size will greatly depend on your medical condition.
Reclast, according to EverydayHealth.com, may cause severe bone or joint pains within days of starting the treatment. Other side effects may include diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, heartburn, weight loss, hair loss, redness/infection at the injection site or red/teary eyes.
How can I save money?
As long as medically necessary, the infusion will be covered by insurance. Be sure to choose a doctor within the network and always confirm with your insurance company before proceeding. As for Medicare, it will cover the costs of Reclast under Medicare Part B. If you’re looking for a new policy or want to switch, eHealthInsurance.com has thousands of policies that you can browse through for free.
Novartis, the company that manufactures the drug, offers financial assistance for those who qualify.
If possible, try to have the procedure performed inside an outpatient setting rather than the hospital. As with any medical procedure, a freestanding outpatient center will always be cheaper than the hospital.
Infusion centers are often able to offer an out-of-pocket estimate over the phone. Call a few billing offices to compare the prices and facilities to make the best choice.
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