Cellulitis Treatment Cost

Typical costs:

• Patients seeking medical attention for cellulitis would start with an office visit to a primary care physician, which is typically covered by health insurance. For patients with health insurance, out-of-pocket costs typically consist of a copay of $10-$50 or more, or coinsurance of 10%-50% or more. For patients without health insurance, an office visit typically costs $50-$200 or more.
• Treatment^[3] typically consists of a prescribed antibiotic, whether oral or topical, or in severe cases, given intravenously. Oral and topical antibiotics typically cost $5-$140 depending on whether a patient chooses a generic or brand name medication. For example, cephalexin which is available as a generic, costs $7, while the antibiotic ointment Mupirocin (Bactroban), costs $62.
• A serious infection that requires hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics can cost $6,000-$25,000 or more. At Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center^[4] in Lincoln, NE, it costs $200-$400 to administer a round of IV antibiotics, which could total several thousand dollars for multiple rounds of treatment.

• A doctor may be able to diagnose cellulitis based on the appearance of the skin with no further testing needed. However because cellulitis can spread to the blood or lymph nodes, and cause blood clots in the leg, a doctor may also order blood or other tests to help rule out additional concerns.
• According to the Mayo Clinic^[5] patients diagnosed with cellulitis must take antibiotics for up to 14 days and should let their doctors know whether the infection is responding to treatment within three days.

• According to the National Institutes of Health^[6] longer treatment may be needed for people with chronic diseases like diabetes or compromised immune systems, as they may experience more severe cases of cellulitis.
• People with fungal infections of the feet may have recurring cellulitis because the cracks in the skin create an entry point for bacteria.

• Outlets such as Costco^[7] and Walmart^[8] often sell prescription and over-the-counter drugs at significant savings. Walmart, for example, has a prescription drug program^[9] that includes certain generic drugs at commonly prescribed dosages.
• Many hospitals offer discounts of 30% of more to uninsured/cash-paying patients. At St. Joseph Hospital^[10] in Orange, CA, for example, patients without health insurance may qualify for a 45% discount off billed charges. They'll also be offered an additional 10% discount if payment is made within 10 days of receiving a bill.

• A family doctor or dermatologist can diagnose and prescribe treatment for cellulitis. The American Board of Family Medicine offers a board-certified family physician locator^[11] , while the American Academy of Dermatology offers a dermatologist locator^[12] . FindUrgentCare.com has an urgent care center locator^[13] .
• The Mayo Clinic offers tips^[14] to help patients with cellulitis prepare for their next appointment.

1.  www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/cellulitis-topic-overview
2.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/cellulitis/DS00450/DSECTION=symptoms
3.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/cellulitis/DS00450/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
4.  tp.chi.acelogicus.net/nese/Default.aspx
5.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/cellulitis/DS00450/DSECTION=tests-and-diagnosis
6.  www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000855.htm
7.  www.costco.com/
8.  www.walmart.com/cp/pharmacy/5431
9.  www.walmart.com/cp/1078664
10.  www.sjo.org/For-Patients/Your-Hospital-Bill/Self-Pay-Discount-Program.aspx
11.  /www.theabfm.org
12.  www.aad.org/find-a-derm
13.  www.findurgentcare.com
14.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/cellulitis/DS00450/DSECTION=preparing-for-your-appointment

Check Out All Costs for Health & Personal Care		How Much Does a Heart Stent Cost?		How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost?		How Much Does Medical Marijuana Cost?

Today's Featured Cost Articles

Repair leaks before the rain starts pouring. Fall begins Monday, September 23. How about backpacking? Sweating college admissions? SAT test prep can reduce some of the stress of the big test. Don't leave the dancing with the stars. Take a lesson. September is Chicken Month. Have you considered raising a unique pet?

About CostHelper

CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community

Bat bite Paid: 0.00 On October 25th I was bitten by a bat during mid morning, animal control told me to get the rabies shots due to the fact that several rabid bats had been found in the area... [more] -Rita W Rabies Vaccine Cost 7 stitches to shin Paid: 371.00 My son had 7 Stitches to his shin he fell in the woods and was cut by a old fence. They were super nice in and out, in about one hour. 155.00 for the visit and the remainder was for the Stitches ... [more] -Tavanna Stitches Cost 2 Car Garage Paid: 1700.00 Looks FANTASTIC! The guys done a fabulous job and did it in one day! Highly recommend! 615-739-2146... [more] -Chad Dunn Epoxy Flooring Cost Commercial Real Estate Brochure Paid: 200.00 Quick turn around time! 4 revisions with PDF and hyperlinks embedded. Website management available too... [more] [email protected] Graphic Designer Cost Fairly priced Paid: 0.00 My baby boy choked on some food this evening. While we were on the phone to the emergency services the blockage cleared. Ambulance was sent anyway to make sure everything was ok... [more] -Thank you NHS Ambulance Cost Ripped Off Paid: 46.00 I asked the nail technician how much for a full set. He said he will let me know as soon as he gets the nails on my fingers (WTH?) ... anyway on the board the price said $28 and up...... [more] -Kay. Manicures and Pedicures Cost