Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment Cost

Typical costs:

• Patients seeking medical care for IBS 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.
• Over-the-counter aids to help control IBS symptoms such as constipation and diarrhea typically cost $4-$25 depending on the quantity and whether the patient buys a name brand or its generic equivalent. For example, 120 capsules of the fiber supplement psyllium (Metamucil)^[3] costs $14,while six caplets of the anti-diarrheal OTC medication loperamide (Imodium)^[4] costs $5.
• For moderate to severe cases, a doctor may prescribe one or more kinds of drugs^[5] to manage symptoms, including anticholinergic medications, antidepressant medications, or antibiotics. Prescription medications used to treat IBS typically range in cost from $10-$200. For example, the anticholinergic medication dicyclomine (Bentyl)^[6] , which is used to counter bowel spasms, typically costs $49 or less without health insurance, while generic Imipramine hcl (Tofranil), an antidepressant, typically costs $16 . For patients covered by health insurance, the typical out-of-pocket cost for drugs is a prescription drug copay of $5-$30 or more.

• An IBS diagnosis^[7] is generally based on a complete medical history and physical examination.
• After an initial evaluation, a primary doctor may refer patients exhibiting symptoms^[8] to a gastroenterologist for more detailed diagnostic testing. No specific test for IBS exists, but certain exams, such as a colonoscopy, may help to rule out other problems.

• Because stress^[9] can trigger colon spasms in IBS patients, therapies that help to manage negative emotions or reduce anxiety such as massage may help to keep symptoms from worsening.

• Outlets such as Costco^[10] and Walmart^[11] often sell prescription and over-the-counter drugs at significant savings. Walmart, for example, has a prescription drug program^[12] 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^[13] 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.

• The American College of Gastroenterology^[14] and American Gastroenterologist Association^[15] offer a physician locators.
• WebMD offers a list of resources^[16] to help IBS sufferers, including message boards and online tools.

1.  digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/ibs/#what/
2.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/irritable-bowel-syndrome/DS00106/DSECTION=causes
3.  www.drugstore.com/default.asp?catid=1
4.  www.drugstore.com/default.asp?catid=1
5.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/irritable-bowel-syndrome/DS00106/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
6.  www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/bentyl
7.  digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/ibs/#diagnostic
8.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/irritable-bowel-syndrome/DS00106/DSECTION=symptoms
9.  digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/ibs/#stress
10.  www.costco.com/
11.  www.walmart.com/cp/pharmacy/5431
12.  www.walmart.com/cp/1078664
13.  www.sjo.org/For-Patients/Your-Hospital-Bill/Self-Pay-Discount-Program.aspx
14.  patients.gi.org/find-a-gastroenterologist/
15.  secure.gastro.org/GILocator/locator.asp
16.  www.webmd.com/ibs/guide/irritable-bowel-syndrome-support-resources

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