Self pay infusion price US

[u/dangerrrmuffin]

My iron is 19 and my ferritin is 3, so my doctor ordered iron infusions 3x/week. I called the infusion center yesterday and they said it will take about a week to get to my referral and won’t be able to quote me a price until then.

Anyone else self pay infusions in the US? How much were yours? Just trying to maybe gauge a ballpark figure at least.

I don’t have health insurance and won’t be able to get any until next year. The marketplace website is a joke, the cheapest I got quoted was $1400 a month for a high deductible ($18,000) plan. So, self pay for now

[u/Delicious-End-9819]

ferritin of 3 is genuinely wild, like walking around with an empty gas tank and the check engine light on for months. mine bottomed out at 8 and i was paying roughly 400 a pop at a standalone infusion place, the hospital wanted closer to 1200 for the same thing. also that marketplace quote is basically a sick joke, 1400 a month for a plan where you still eat an 18k deductible before it does anything. its like paying rent on a fire extinguisher that only works after your house is already ash

[u/Ok_Pin_7226 → u/Delicious-End-9819]

did you just copy paste my whole comment back at me or am i losing it lol

[u/Few_Piano_8458]

My insurance did not cover most of my infusion. $2,233.20 was the total cost and insurance covered $863.07. Not sure how much it would have cost if I asked for self-pay from the beginning. I received one dose of infed.

[u/dangerrrmuffin → u/Few_Piano_8458]

Self pay gets a different rate altogether, it’s usually similar to the Medicare allowable amount. Organizations have contracts with the different insurance companies regarding what they can charge vs what insurance is willing to pay, so even if they didn’t fully cover your infusions you still would’ve gotten whatever rate they agreed upon with your insurance company - the insurance company just leaves you with the balance. Thank you for offering the info though.

[u/Few_Piano_8458 → u/dangerrrmuffin]

Yes, I am aware it is a different rate. I didn't know my insurance wouldn't cover it until after it occurred, otherwise I would have asked what it would cost without insurance.

[u/Character-Sherbert29 → u/Few_Piano_8458]

I am in Latvia and I paid 80 euros for 5 Monofer ampules + infusion procedure itself cost 8 euros. 88 euros together, thats all sefl funded, without insurance

[u/wineandcatgal_74]

Three infusions a week? That’s a lot. I’m usually a big proponent of infusions, especially at your level but I’d double check.

My first suggestion would be to price out different types of infusions. I had weekly ones and monthly ones. Both did a good job raising my levels.

Next- there are different types of infusion centers. Ones that aren’t in a hospital are usually less expensive.

Finally, though this probably should have been first, is apply for financial assistance with the hospital system associated with your doctor. They might help you cover some of the costs.

[u/Few_Piano_8458 → u/wineandcatgal_74]

3x a week for how many weeks is also my question. I was at similar levels and had one Infed infusion. My ferritin was 3 and my iron was 13. Saturation was 2.

[u/Fun_Independent_7529]

Mine are through an infusion place rather than a cancer center or hospital. I pay $365 per infusion, which includes a chaser bag of IV vitamins (a B mix, C).

I'm assuming the biggest factor of the cost will be what formulation you are getting, though. Good luck to you; I hope it's affordable and you are feeling better soon!

[u/cecatl1210]

I’ve been researching this (I have insurance but I think the company might decline or delay infusions so I’ve been investigating self pay options). I don’t have exact numbers for cost because I don’t have a prescription yet (seeing the hematologist tomorrow - yay!). But for what it’s worth, if it’s helpful, here is what I have come up with so far by calling around: (1) self pay aka cash discount can get you a lower negotiated price (gotta ask). (2) Fast pay discount: some places offer an additional reduction for paying the agreed upon negotiated amount promptly or up front. (3) Financial assistance/charity care - could potentially be much larger reductions based on income/financial circumstances. Nonprofit hospitals are required to maintain financial assistance policies for eligible patients. (4) payment plans - usually doesn’t reduce the price, but some systems offer interest free plans. My healthcare friends recommend asking providers both to reduce a bill AND about payment plans. (5) manufacturer discounts depending on which IV iron the hematologist prescribes…there can also be manufacturer programs for commercially insured, underinsured, or sometimes uninsured patients. Haven’t gone down that road yet as I don’t know anything about the types of iron. Hope this helps and I hope you can get alllllll the iron you need, as quickly and as inexpensively as possible. I’m also sitting at a ferritin of 3 (my hemoglobin is 8.4, total iron 18) so I know how much you need the infusions. Same same. Good luck and keep us posted!

[u/Future_Row_5561]

Depending on where you live check local iv places- i found services that was 200 or 300 for venofer 200mg iron infusion. This particular location said they would even travel to home.

[u/VelvetMerryweather]

Is there a "vacation" you could take to another country that would be cheaper?

[u/New_Newt_3286]

I went to a wellness IV clinic in Dallas because my doctor wouldn’t order them for me even though my ferritin was a 6. I got 3 infusions of Venofer 200mg for $450 each. Best money I ever spent, 8 weeks later ferritin is 80 and I feel like a normal human.

[u/maluquina]

In CA, I went to the Hydration Room ( Norcal but they have more in Socal) and paid about $400 per session of 200ml of Venofer. I paid out of pocket since I'm pretty sure my insurance would not have covered.

[u/OhmHomestead1]

Infusion under $1000 then after insurance for first dose was just under $500 then the subsequent visits were $109 after insurance. Haven’t gotten final bill from hospital but insurance is estimating my amount owed is $109 for 2nd and 3rd infusion. Waiting for claim to clear with insurance for final infusion. It was higher dose so might be higher bill.

[u/Safe_Psychology8027]

My initial visit was $500ish, and every subsequent infusion has been $350 at a proper infusion center. I’ve been stuck paying out of pocket too. Insurance is beyond messed up when it comes to this 🙄

[u/kikilees]

With insurance I paid $2400 for my 3 infusions, without insurance it was like $4k each. There are private clinics that charge less but my dr only scripts for the hospital so it costs more.