| |
|
 |  | With Health Insurance: $5-$50 Copay + 10%-50% Coinsurance |  | Without Health Insurance: $10-$90 For Medications |  | Without Health Insurance: $46,000+ With Hospitalization |
|
Cat scratch fever, also called cat scratch disease, is caused by a bite or scratch from a cat that carries a certain type of bacteria. It usually is not serious and often goes away without treatment. Symptoms might include a bump at the site of infection, as well as fever, chills, nausea, fatigue and swollen lymph nodes.
Typical costs: |
- For patients covered by health insurance, out-of-pocket costs typically consist of doctor visit copays, prescription drug copays of $5-$50 or more, or coinsurance of 10%-50%. Cat scratch fever treatment typically is covered by health insurance.
- For patients not covered by health insurance, cat scratch fever treatment typically costs less than $10 for over-the-counter pain relievers. For severe cases in which antibiotics are required, it typically costs from $30-$90 for oral antibiotics. For example, Drugstore.com charges about $30 for a two-week course of the generic antibiotic rifampin. It charges about $80 for a two-week course of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin. And it charges about $90 for a two-week course of the generic oral antibiotic azithromycin.
- In the extremely rare cases in which serious complications occur and hospitalization is required, cat scratch fever treatment can cost tens of thousands of dollars. According to Medscape.com, the median hospitalization charge[1] for cat scratch disease is about $46,140.
Related articles: Flea Control, Health Insurance
|
|
What should be included: |
- Cat scratch fever typically is diagnosed based on an interview with the patient and an examination.
- In most cases, cat scratch fever will go away without treatment in a few weeks. A doctor might recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever to ease symptoms.
- In severe or lingering cases, or when the lymph nodes are extremely swollen, a doctor might prescribe an oral antibiotic -- usually azithromycin[2] , but, in some cases, rifampin[3] or ciprofloxacin[4] .
- In extremely rare cases -- about nine out of every 100,000 patients, usually children or immunocompromised patients -- very serious complications[5] will occur, requiring hospitalization, supportive care and treatment with IV antibiotics.
- MedicineNet.com offers an overview of cat scratch fever[6] .
Additional costs: |
- Doctors believe that fleas may carry the bacteria that cause cat scratch fever, so flea control is recommended. To treat the home, supplies can cost less than $100 to purchase, and hiring a professional pest control company can cost up to $300. Flea medication for a cat can cost up to $10 or more per month, depending on the product used.
Discounts: |
- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers a locator[7] for clinics with sliding fee scales based on income.
- Some drug manufacturers offer patient assistance programs. Any patient without prescription drug coverage who is not eligible for Medicare typically qualifies for Together Rx Access[8] , a discount card that offers 25%-40% off many brand-name drugs.
Shopping for cat scratch fever treatment: |
- A pediatrician or family doctor can diagnose and prescribe treatment for cat scratch fever. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers a pediatrician locator.The American Medical Association offers a doctor locator[9] , and FindUrgentCare.com offers an urgent care center locator[10] .
|
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.
|
|
|
|
CostHelper News
| 
7 Lesser-Known Discounts for the 50+ Crowd
As they age, members of the Baby Boomer generation don't like to admit that they're senior citizens, but they love getting discounts. It's kind of a quandary, because some of the best deals available are reduced prices for older folks. || Posted October 21 2013
| | 
7 Ways to Stretch Your Reduced Food Budget
End of the year budgets are tight for everyone, especially in this economy.It's especially hard for the millions of Americans who depend on government programs like food stamps to help make ends meet. || Posted November 11 2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
|
|
|
|
External Resources: |
- misc.medscape.com/pi/android/medscapeapp/html/A214100-business.html
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001009/
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000675/
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000878/
- www.emedicinehealth.com/cat_scratch_disease/page7_em.htm
- www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=46695
- findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/Search_HCC.aspx
- www.togetherrxaccess.com/p/prescription-savings/about-together-rx-access/enroll.aspx
- extapps.ama-assn.org/doctorfinder/recaptcha.jsp
- www.findurgentcare.com/
More Health & Personal Care Topics
|
Search Thousands of Topics on CostHelper.com
|
Post
