The Financial and Economic Cost of Having Gout
There’s no doubt that having a lifelong condition like gout is going to mean more expenses added to your wallet. On top of medication, you’ll also have to pay for hospitalization, urate-lowering therapy, uric acid level tests, doctor consultations, and sometimes surgery.
When you have gout, your productivity at work is also affected. In a 2013 study, it was estimated that the economic burden of gout was more than $6 billion per year. They saw a $2,021 annual work productivity loss for every gout patient that experienced more than three gout attacks per year. Those that had six or more gout attacks had even higher economic losses of up to $12,020. Data analysis also shows that patients missed work five days a yearcompared to those who did not have gout.
In between 2002 to 2008, one study in the U.S. found that there were 514,976 emergency department visits and 50.1 million ambulance visits, all for gout. The total cost annually for these visits reached up to $1 billion. Another study mentions that there were $173 million in emergency department charges in 2008 alone.
In another study in February 2015 conducted by Sharan K. Rai, they found that gout patients were paying between $16,925 to $18,362 to manage their condition. These figures are high in comparison to patients who did not have gout and only paid an average of $10,590 in medical costs per year. The older the gout patient, the higher the medical cost. The same is also true for patients who had progressively worsening gout. This is because they also have other comorbid conditions.
In 2015, the cost of having gout has reached to $4,363 for patients who experience three or more gout flares in a year. With each doctor visit, a patient can pay as much as $833. The kind of treatment a patient receives also affects costs. The average cost for every gout episode is $300. But their spending declined by $135 if they were regularly taking uric reducing medications prior. They also spent less than patients who do not take medications at all.
Then, the cost was $277 higher for patients who took both uric acid lowering as well as pain reducing medications. If you are elderly and need assistance getting around after a gout flare, you may need to hire a private nurse which can cost you $20 an hour.
The number of gout patients has been steadily on the rise in the last few decades because more people are suffering from obesity, kidney disease, and other comorbidities. Then there’s patients who are prescribed diuretics for their hypertension or heart problem. All these factors can make one more at risk for gout.
Due to this, more attention is now being given to gout. Aside from exploring more effective medications, the health industry is also creating new initiatives to help educate patients on the condition, its treatment, and how they can best manage it long term.
Tip for Reducing the Costs of Gout
What was once considered the disease of kings is now affecting commoners. And many of us commoners do not always have the financial capability to cover all these costs. You also have to consider that we are now living longer which means more hospital bills in the future.
It’s scary to look at these numbers. The good news is that these costs can be drastically lowered if you get treatment and manage your condition well. The sooner you find out you have gout, the better because then you’d be able to get treatment immediately.
Make sure you are taking your medication according to the doctor’s instructions. Most patients think they can get away with skipping their meds when they don’t experience any symptoms anymore or they think they have made enough adjustments to their lifestyle.
However, gout is a life-long condition that should be managed with medication. If you don’t adhere to your treatments, your medical bills are only going to get even more expensive. As an extra measure, you also need to get your uric acid level checked twice a year to ensure it is under 6mg/dl. An analysis found that patients who regularly took uric acid lowering medications were able to work additional hours per week.
If you get a gout flare, take your treatment medication right away and if it still doesn’t get better after a few days, visit your doctor as they may be able to give you a more effective treatment. It helps to have friends and relatives nearby who can assist you while you are disabled. This can save you money from having to hire a private nurse.
Having health insurance and sick pay at work can also help mitigate the costs of gout treatments. This allows you to stay home and go back to work only when you are 100% healed. The unfortunate reality though is that some employers are unsympathetic to gout sufferers. They think it’s a way to get out of work. This could be due to a lack of understanding of gout. But then there are employers who are actually understanding and will adjust their employee’s workload based on their capabilities.
If you live in the U.S. or have Medicare, you can approach HealthWell Foundation as they have a special Gout Fund which can assist you in paying for prescription drugs and treatment for gout. You just need to meet a certain criteria. If you do, you can get covered for up to $12,000.
Another way to reduce costs is by staying active. Exercise is free and you can do it practically anywhere. Walk in your neighborhood, swim laps at the public swimming pool, get moving with house chores, etc. A study found that those who take gout medications and maintain physical activity regularly had improved their quality of life.
How has your gout condition affected your finances? How long have you had it and what additional expenses have you had to pay for to manage it? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Want to learn more about gout? Visit our website at www.goutandyou.com
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional for any health concerns.
