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 |  | With Health Insurance: Copays + 10%-50% Coinsurance |  | Without Health Insurance: $35,000-$800,000+ |
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There are two main kinds of brain cancer[1] , primary brain cancer that starts in the brain and affects the central nervous system, and the more common secondary or metastatic brain cancer that originates elsewhere and moves to the brain.
Typical costs: | - For patients covered by health insurance, out-of-pocket costs for brain cancer treatment typically consist of doctor visit, lab and prescription drug copays as well as coinsurance of 10%-50% for surgery and other procedures, which can easily reach the yearly out-of-pocket maximum. Brain cancer treatment typically is covered by health insurance, although some plans might not cover individual drugs or treatments.
- According to the American Cancer Society[2] , the cost of cancer treatment depends on the type and duration of treatment, and whether the patient is treated at home, in a clinic, in the doctor's office, or in the hospital.
- A comprehensive treatment plan[3] may include a range of therapies, but it typically involves one or more of the following options: surgery which can cost $50,000 -$150,000 or more; chemotherapy, which can cost $10,000 -$200,000 or more; radiation therapy, which can cost $10,000-$50,000 or more and brachytherapy[4] , a type of radiotherapy in which a radiation source is placed inside or next to a tumor, which can cost $25,000 or more.
- The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality[5] reports that patients with brain cancer are typically hospitalized for between six and seven days at a cost of $19,400 total, or $2,900 per day.
- According to the National Brain Tumor Foundation[6] , drugs to treat brain cancer can cost more than $1,000 for a one-month supply. For instance, 250 mg of the brain cancer drug Temozolomide[7] can cost more than $1,500 a month.
- If it appears unlikely that the condition can be cured, a doctor may recommend that a patient avoid harsh treatments and opt for supportive care instead. One recent study[8] found that patients who received palliative care incurred, on average, $6,900 less in hospital costs during a given admission than patients who received usual care. Most insurance plans cover palliative care.
Related articles: Brain Surgery, Biopsy, Brain Tumor Treatment, Brain MRI, Radiation Therapy, Physical Therapy, Chemotherapy, Health Insurance
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What should be included: | - Patients who experience symptoms[9] may undergo a series of tests to detect a brain tumor, including a neurological exam, a biopsy and imaging tests such as an MRI. If it's a secondary cancer, a doctor may recommend tests to determine its origins.
- According to the Mayo Clinic, a patient and doctor develop a cancer treatment plan[10] plan based on a number of factors, including overall health, the type and stage of cancer, and patient preferences.
Additional costs: | |
Discounts: | - Many hospitals offer discounts of 30% of more to uninsured/cash-paying patients. At St. Joseph Hospital[12] in Orange, CA, for example, patients without health insurance may qualify for a 45% discount off billed charges. The hospital also offers an additional 10% discount if payment is made within 10 days of the patient receiving the bill.
- Under the federal government's Hill-Burton program[13] low-income patients may qualify for free or low-cost services.
Shopping for brain cancer treatment: | - Nineteen states and the District of Columbia have enacted oral chemotherapy access laws[14] that require private health plans to cover cancer drugs, in the same way they would cover traditional intravenous infusion therapy.
- The National Cancer Institute offers a list of resources[15] for patients who need financial assistance.
- The American Academy of Neurology offers a doctor locator[16] , which allows patients and their families to search for neurologists who specialize in brain tumors.
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Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
| Posted by: Kinda Curry in johnson city, NY. | Posted: March 14th, 2013 05:03AM |
| Type of Treatment: brain cancer | Length of Hospitalization: 5 days |
| Hospital or Medical Center: wilson medical center |
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External Resources: | - www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/braincancer.html
- www.cancer.org/acs/groups/cid/documents/webcontent/002813-pdf.pdf
- www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/brain-cancer-000024.htm#ixzz26g8OjQML
- www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Brachytherapy.aspx
- www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/reports/statbriefs/sb125.jsp
- www.braintumor.org/assets/docs/Nobody_Can_Afford_a_Brain_Tumor.pdf
- www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/temozolomide
- content.healthaffairs.org/content/30/3/454
- www.mayoclinic.com/health/brain-tumor/DS00281/DSECTION=symptoms
- www.mayoclinic.com/health/brain-tumor/DS00281/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
- www.mayoclinic.com/health/brain-tumor/DS00281/DSECTION=alternative-medicine
- www.sjo.org/For-Patients/Your-Hospital-Bill/Self-Pay-Discount-Program.aspx
- www.hrsa.gov/gethealthcare/affordable/hillburton/
- capsules.kaiserhealthnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Oral-Chemo-Access-Map-May...
- www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/coping/financial-legal#Getting+Financial+Help+for+Heal...
- patients.aan.com/findaneurologist/
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