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Medical Expenses

Medical costs associated with asbestos-related diseases can be unbearably high. Despite a long latency period between someone's initial exposure to asbestos and the development of mesothelioma symptoms, asbestos-related diseases progress quickly and require immediate treatment. Those treatments can be extensive and expensive. If a patient is still working when diagnosed, it's possible he or she might not be able to work during treatment. That only adds to any financial hardship caused by the disease.

Medical expenses for mesothelioma patients can include costs for aggressive treatment like surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy; clinical-trial expenses; and complementary and alternative therapies, such as acupuncture and massage.

Asbestosis patients often have a different set of treatments and a separate set of medical expenses. Asbestosis patients may need to pay for regular treatments like oxygen therapy or respiration therapy to ease breathing.

To learn more about how to pay for medical expenses after a mesothelioma diagnosis, sign up to receive a complimentary guide.

Expenses Related to Treating Cancer

Cancer is one of the world's most expensive diseases for someone to have. In 2006, the average cost of a prescription cancer drug was more than $1,600, compared to just $64.86 for the average retail prescription drug. Insurance co-pays for many of these prescriptions are also higher than those for other treatments. Families worldwide collectively lose billions of dollars in medical expenses and lost income because of cancers like mesothelioma.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimated the overall annual costs of cancer at $263.8 billion in 2010. Of these costs, $102.8 billion were projected for medical expenses and $161 billion were predicted for lost productivity costs (for example, someone's inability to earn income because of an illness or premature death). As new (and costlier) technologies and treatments develop, annual costs could reach $173 billion to $207 billion by 2020.

All types of cancers can be emotionally and financially devastating. Lung cancer, colorectal cancer and gastrointestinal cancer are some of the most expensive cancers to treat. In 2010, the national costs for lung cancer were estimated at $12.1 billion. National costs reached an estimated $14.1 for colorectal cancer and $5.4 billion for other gastrointestinal cancers. These cancers are often associated with asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma is an aggressive asbestos cancer and is also expensive to treat. Once someone is diagnosed with the disease, the average life expectancy is approximately one year. The life expectancy is so short because mesothelioma is difficult to detect and then to treat. By the time a patient is diagnosed with mesothelioma, cancer often has spread beyond the point of origin.

Because the cancer can spread quickly and because the location of tumors significantly impacts a patient's prognosis, doctors often opt for multimodal treatment, using some combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and alternative therapies. These factors make aggressive treatment necessary and expensive.

Cost of Mesothelioma Drugs

Mesothelioma specialists treat the illness with typical drugs than can be used for other cancers as well. Two primary drugs are involved in chemotherapy, Cisplatin and Alimta. Doctors, cancer treatment centers and drug companies don't publicize the actual cost of oncology drugs because none of them has an incentive do to so. In the end, patients take care of a co-pay for the drugs based on their insurance plan or else they pay out of pocket.

Alimta, an oft-used chemo drug typically prescribed in cycles of three, costs more than $2,800 per vial, meaning that one cycle of it can run nearly $8,500. Contrast the cost to that of cisplatin, a generic drug that comes at a relative bargain price of $29 for 100 doses.

If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may incur medical expenses for the following treatments:

Aggressive Therapy – This may entail surgery, chemotherapy and radiation in any combination. It includes frequent medical monitoring to determine how well treatment is working.

Clinical Trials –Clinical trials use advancements in medicine to provide treatment for patients as part of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval process. Involvement in clinical trials is completely voluntary and may be the last resource for many patients. Clinical trials are not typically covered by insurance since they are not considered standard methods of treatment. Some expenses will be paid by the hospital conducting the trial, while others will not be covered.
Complementary and Alternative Therapies – In addition to conventional medical treatments such as surgery and pain relief medications, therapies such as acupuncture, chiropractic care and massage may also provide relief from symptoms. These therapies, which can relieve pain, fatigue and other symptoms common to mesothelioma patients, may not be covered by health insurance.

Treating asbestosis can also be costly. Asbestosis is the scarring and inflammation of the lungs that stems from asbestos exposure. The inflammation causes shortness of breath and other symptoms that worsen over time. Although there is no cure for asbestosis, doctors can work to make patients as comfortable as possible and maintain their lung functionality as long as possible.
Because there is no cure, quality of life depends on continued treatment after diagnosis. If you are diagnosed with asbestosis, you may incur long-term care costs for the following therapies:

Oxygen Therapy – a method of providing the body with adequate oxygen.
Respiratory Therapy – a treatment that strengthens and helps clear secretions from the lungs.

Do not hesitate to ask your medical provider about the costs of long-term care. Also talk to a mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible about getting financial assistance to pay for your medical expenses

Document Any Asbestos Exposure

If you do not suffer from asbestosis or mesothelioma but know that you have been exposed to asbestos, it is best to have frequent medical check-ups. It is important to catch any asbestos-related health issues in an early stage.

Tell your general practitioner that you were exposed to asbestos so he or she can document it in your medical history. The physician may want to perform more frequent check-ups and add annual chest X-rays. Your doctor also should alert you to early warning signs of any respiratory disease.

Keep Track of Mesothelioma Medical Expenses

It is important to know the treatment expenses when considering whether to file a legal claim. Keep track of your medical appointments and all of the prescriptions you buy. Try to keep records of your insurance claims and out-of-pocket medical expenses in one place. Enlist the help of a family member to help you keep complete records.

Also visit our Financial Assistance page for more information about the types of expenses that may be eligible for compensation.

Medical Expenses

Expenses Related to Treating Cancer

Cost of Mesothelioma Drugs

Document Any Asbestos Exposure

Keep Track of Mesothelioma Medical Expenses

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