The Cost Of Lung Disease

Let’s be honest. At one point or another, when we hear about healthcare costs, we picture a gigantic dollar sign going off in our heads. What will this cost me? How much will my insurance cover? How much will I save?

All of these questions tend to plague us at some point concerning healthcare.

Rich or poor, the sad truth is that many people worry about the cost of healthcare treatment. In our society, healthcare has become a driving factor to help us stay healthy and live a better quality of life in spite of various medical conditions, such as lung disease.

But what is the price tag that comes from treating such a condition? What is the actual cost of lung disease?

How Much is the Cost of Lung Disease Affecting You?

According to the American Lung Association, more than 35 million people in the United States live with some type of chronic lung disease. Any problem in the lungs or that even prevents the lungs from working right is known as a lung disease.

Lung disease is listed as the number three killer in the United States, right behind heart disease and cancer. This disease encompasses a number of conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysemachronic bronchitisinterstitial lung disease, asthma, tuberculosis and more.

As you can probably deduct, lung disease can become pretty expensive with so many conditions to treat. Although this is where it gets interesting. The total cost of lung disease is expected to reach up to $154 billion annually.

This includes $95 billion annually from healthcare companies and $59 billion for indirect costs, with a projected 6 percent increase per year in the future.

In one study published, researchers wanted to determine what the direct cost of COPD patients was among insured patients in the United States. Of the 37,089 patients studied, the average mean cost to the patient ranged from $3,238 to $76,159.

The results found that the healthcare costs went up among patients that frequently had more flare-ups and hospital time.

In another published article, researchers have found that the overall cost of asthma treatment is $18 billion each year. With the average person spending $3,000 to $7,000 in treatments. This may vary upon the severity of the condition.

The cost of lung disease is a significant toll on anyone suffering from the condition. While each condition has a different price tag, it is essential to try and get the help you need to feel better.

Be sure to talk to your doctor or healthcare provider about any possible costs during your treatment.